At least 55 terrorists from the Islamic State of the West African Province, ISWAP, including several top commanders, have been killed by the troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force, MNJTF, in the Fringes of Arege in Malam Fatori, Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State, Northeast Nigeria.

According to the Niger Ministry of Defence, a 22-day aggressive operation nicknamed Operation HARBIN ZUMA, which began on May 6, 2023 and ended on Sunday May 28, targeting ISWAP strongholds, was coordinated by the troops of Sector 3 and Sector 4 Multinational Joint Task Force.

Some of the top Commanders such as Fiya Abouzeid, Qaïd Abou Oumama and Qaïd Malam Moustapha, as well as several religious leaders whose identities are not yet known, were naturalized.

Close coordination between Niger-Nigerian Air Task Force and land forces made it possible to locate the enemy and inflict significant losses on them, the ministry said.

The troops also successfully destroyed 13 vehicles and 13 motorcycles, while 5 other Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIED), were destroyed by the troops.

The Nigérienne Sector 4 MNJTF, lost 2 of its soldiers, 3 slightly wounded, while one phantom Mrap was damaged.

It, however, did not disclose this casualty recorded on the Nigerian counterpart.

The main objective of the operation was to neutralize the terrorists who were in their bastion in Aregé, Nigeria.

The operation also aimed to maintain pressure on the Islamic State in West Africa (EIAO) and to eliminate any presence of armed terrorist groups in the area bounded by the vices of BOSSO, BAGA, GOUDOUMBALI and GASHIGAR.

It was also planned to cut off all supply routes for armed terrorist groups and reduce the threat in the region.