The Air Task Force of the Multi-National Joint Task Force, MNJTF, has killed the third-ranking commander of Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, otherwise known as Boko Haram, Khalifa Umar.
A statement by the spokesman for the task force, Colonel Timothy Antigha, said Mr Umar was killed in an air interdiction conducted on Saturday in Tunbum Sabon.
“Khalifa Umar was a High-Value Target considering that he was also the Chief Judge of ISWAP. In a separate air interdiction conducted in Kwalaram, three other senior commanders of ISWAP were also neutralised.
“More details on the full Battle Damage Assessment will be conveyed in subsequent press releases. Additionally, MNJTF Air Task Force interdiction of ISWAP training camp and mustering area in Tumbun Madayi 3 days ago also yielded expected result. Several terrorists and their commanders who gathered for training or an attack were neutralised or maimed.
“Battle Damage Assessment indicates that a sizeable ISWAP terror infrastructure were destroyed. The MNJTF is firm in its resolve, in partnership with national forces and operations, to intensify pressure on ISWAP until it capitulates,” the statement said.
