In a major win for Nigeria's ongoing war against insurgency, the Nigerian military has eliminated a high-ranking Boko Haram commander, Abu Fatima, in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
The successful operation was spearheaded by the air component of Operation Hadin Kai, with support from the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF). According to Captain Reuben Kovangiya, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations at Theatre Command Headquarters, this operation highlights the military’s resolve to end terrorism in the region.
Abu Fatima, a notorious leader of the JAS/BHT (Jama'atu Ahlus Sunnah Lidda'awati wal-Jihad) faction of Boko Haram, had been on the military's most-wanted list. His elimination, along with several of his deputies, is seen as a strategic blow to the terror group’s command structure.
Boko Haram has been a menace in Nigeria’s northeast for over a decade, orchestrating bombings, kidnappings, and village massacres. But recent operations have shifted momentum in favor of the Nigerian military.
This latest strike builds on the success of previous missions aimed at dismantling terrorist strongholds and rescuing abducted civilians. Since the inception of Operation Lafiya Dole in 2014, Nigeria’s military has remained relentless—despite facing challenges such as limited funding, logistics, and casualties.
Beyond military action, the government is also targeting the root causes of terrorism. Through initiatives like the North East Development Commission (NEDC), efforts are being made to rebuild communities ravaged by conflict and address socio-economic grievances that fuel radicalization.
The death of Abu Fatima sends a clear message: the era of unchecked terror in Nigeria is ending. And while the fight is far from over, this milestone brings hope to millions affected by the insurgency.