Nigerian Army eliminates top Boko Haram commander with N100m bounty

In a major victory for Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts, Special Forces under Operation Hadin Kai have killed Amir Abu Fatima, a high-ranking Boko Haram commander who had a ₦100 million bounty placed on his head.

The Nigerian Army confirmed the development in a statement released on Friday, noting that Fatima was neutralized during a coordinated military operation in the Kukawa axis of Borno State. Several other terrorists were also eliminated in the offensive.

Amir Abu Fatima was regarded as a key figure within the ranks of the Boko Haram insurgency, with intelligence sources linking him to numerous violent attacks and leadership roles within the terrorist organization.

“Special forces under the command of Operation HADIN KAI have neutralized key BH/ISWAP Leader Amir, Abu Fatima and other terrorists along Kukawa axis of Borno State,” the army said.

Further details emerged from counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, who reported that the operation took place in northern Borno and was executed by Special Forces troops of 19 Brigade under Sector 3 of Operation Hadin Kai.

“Zagazola Makama was informed by intelligence sources that the operation, which was conducted in the early hours of Friday, was carried out by Special Forces troops of 19 Brigade of Sector 3, Operation Hadin Kai, targeting the Kukawa axis of the Lake Chad region.

“Military sources confirmed to Zagazola Makama that the mission was a carefully planned terrorist leader decapitation operation aimed specifically at taking out Abu Fatima, a high-profile insurgent leader.

“The elite Special Forces penetrated the terrorist enclave and engaged the militants in a fierce firefight. Abu Fatima was critically injured during the clash and was captured alive. However, he later succumbed to excessive bleeding from gunshot wounds sustained in battle,” Makama said.

Fatima’s deputy, along with bomb-making specialists and several other insurgents, were also killed in the raid, according to military sources.

Weapons and materials recovered from the scene included multiple AK-47 rifles, loaded magazines, components for improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and other military-grade equipment.

Abu Fatima had long been on the most-wanted list of Nigerian security agencies for his role in numerous high-profile terrorist attacks across the Lake Chad region. His death is seen as a significant operational and psychological blow to Boko Haram and affiliated terrorist factions in the area.