BREAKING: Nigerian Army Special Forces Kill Boko Haram/ISWAP Commander Abu Fatima in Major Borno Operation

Kukawa, Borno State – May 30, 2025

In a significant blow to terrorist operations in Nigeria’s North East, Special Forces of the Nigerian Army under Operation HADIN KAI have successfully eliminated a notorious Boko Haram/ISWAP leader, Amir Abu Fatima, during a precision operation in Kukawa, Northern Borno State.

The operation, executed on Friday, May 30, followed credible intelligence that pinpointed the location of the high-value terrorist target. Abu Fatima, who had a ₦100 million bounty on his head, was killed during an intense firefight with troops.

According to military sources, several of Fatima’s top lieutenants—including his deputy and key bomb-making experts—were also neutralized during the assault. The mission, which was carried out with high efficiency, resulted in zero casualties on the side of Nigerian forces.

Weapons and Explosives Recovered

Troops recovered multiple arms and ammunition from the terrorists’ enclave, including:

• Several AK-47 rifles
• Magazines and assorted ammunition
• Improvised Explosive Device (IED) components
• Other ordnance materials used by the insurgents

This successful strike marks one of the most impactful counter-terrorism achievements in recent months, disrupting the leadership structure of the insurgent faction and curtailing their operational capabilities in the Lake Chad region.

Army Reiterates Commitment to Peace

The Nigerian Army, through its official communication, emphasized that the operation is part of its ongoing commitment to restoring peace and stability in the North East.

“This mission delivers a significant blow to terrorist leadership in the region and reinforces the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s avowed commitment to restoring peace,” the statement read.

Background on Abu Fatima

Amir Abu Fatima was a top-ranking commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a Boko Haram splinter group. He was known for orchestrating numerous deadly attacks on both civilians and security forces and was on the military’s most-wanted list.

His death is expected to cause disarray among insurgent cells in the region and represents a morale boost for security forces and residents affected by years of insurgency.

More updates and images from the operation are available via the Nigerian Army’s official social media platforms.