Nigerian Troops Kill Notorious Boko Haram/ISWAP Commander, Abu Fatima, in Borno Operation

Nigerian military forces have neutralized Amir Abu Fatima, a high-ranking Boko Haram/ISWAP commander with a ₦10 million bounty on his head, during a targeted operation in Kukawa, Borno State. 

The Nigerian Army announced the success in a Friday statement posted on its official X account, detailing that the raid was conducted on Thursday as part of Operation Hadin Kai.

Acting on credible intelligence, Special Forces stormed a terrorist stronghold, killing Abu Fatima, his deputy, multiple explosives experts, and several fighters. 

“In a decisive counter-terrorism victory, Special Forces executed a precision strike on May 30, 2025, dismantling a key Boko Haram/ISWAP hideout in Northern Borno’s Kukawa axis,” the statement read. 

Abu Fatima sustained fatal injuries during the engagement, while troops also recovered a cache of weapons, including AK-47 rifles, ammunition, and materials for crafting improvised explosive devices (IEDs). 

The Army confirmed no casualties among its personnel, hailing the operation as a major setback for terrorism in the Northeast.

“This successful mission deals a severe blow to terrorist leadership and underscores the Armed Forces’ unwavering resolve to restore stability in the region,” the statement added.