Soldiers kill Boko Haram kingpin in Borno –Army

Troops involved in the ongoing counter-insurgency operation in the North-East have killed a terror kingpin around Kwatarha and Torikwaptir area of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said in a statement on Tuesday that the terror kingpin, said to be wreaking havoc in the area, was gunned down during a shoot-out with soldiers on Monday afternoon.

The Acting Army spokesman added that the troops recovered one AK-47 rifle from the killed Boko Haram commander.

He said that four other suspected terrorists escaped with gunshot wounds during the encounter.

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Usman added that the troops of the 3 Division arrested a suspected Boko Haram kingpin in Yobe State.

He gave the name of the arrested terror suspect as Alhaji Tijani Usman Damagum.

According to Usman, the terror suspect was tracked by the troops who arrested him at Damagum, Yobe State.

He said that the suspect, who was undergoing interrogation, had led several Boko Haram attacks in Yobe State.

“In an offensive operation to clear Boko Haram terrorists’ enclave around Kwatarha and Torikwaptir area of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, a notorious Boko Haram terrorist who had been wreaking havoc on communities was gunned down by our troops on Monday afternoon.

“During the operation, four other terrorists were believed to have escaped with gunshot wounds. One AK-47 rifle was recovered from him.

“In a related development, the troops of 3 Division have arrested a suspected Boko Haram kingpin, Alhaji Tijani Usman Damagum. He was tracked down and arrested at Damagum town, Yobe State yesterday (Tuesday).

“A high profile Boko Haram terrorists’ group member, he had led Boko Haram members on various attacks especially in Yobe State. The suspect is currently undergoing interrogation with a view to arraigning him soon,” the statement read.