BY: ABDULKADIR M LAWAN, NOVEMBER 01, 2026/ 06:41PM
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have killed Abu Hajara, a high-profile member of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) Shura Council, while foiling a massive attack on their position in Kukawa, Borno State.
Abu Hajara was neutralised on October 31, 2026 alongside Abul Walid, a prominent commander and close associate of Ba Shuwa, the overall Wali of ISWAP, and two high-ranking Arab fighters.
According to a statement on Sunday by Hadin Kai's spokesman, Capt. Mohammed Goni, combined ground and air troops deployed in Kukawa defeated the terrorists after ISWAP launched a coordinated assault on troops' location.
He said the troops utilised both ground firepower and air assets from the Air Component to break the attack and inflict heavy casualties.
Following the engagement, troops recovered scores of arms, ammunition and communication devices from the battlefield.
Capt. Goni said the successful engagement further demonstrates the combat readiness, vigilance and superior firepower of Operation Hadin Kai troops in sustaining pressure on terrorist elements across the theatre.
The Kukawa battle comes barely three days after troops foiled another major attack on the North East Theatre Training School (NETTS) in Buni Yadi, Yobe State, where as at date, 55 terrorists were neutralised including key commanders such as Ali Mandara, Abba Gajiri (Munzir), Habu Ikkima, Nakif Yana Faruk and Commander Gogore.
The Theatre Command has reaffirmed its commitment to continue to protect law-abiding citizens and continue its operations to ensure total annihilation of the terrorists and destruction of their camps within the region.