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Nigerian troops have killed a senior Islamic State West Africa Province commander during coordinated military operations in Borno State, dealing a fresh setback to insurgent activity in the country’s northeast.
The military said Julaibib, a high ranking ISWAP field commander operating in the Gujba axis of the Timbuktu Triangle, was eliminated during a clash with troops of Operation Hadin Kai around Kimba in Damboa Local Government Area on January 30, 2026.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Media Information Officer of the Theatre Command, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, said intelligence reports confirmed that the death of Julaibib disrupted the group’s leadership structure and triggered confusion among fighters in the area.
“This significant development represents a major blow to the command and control structure of ISWAP in the region,” Uba said, explaining that several other militants were also killed during the encounter.
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The Timbuktu Triangle, which spans parts of southern Borno, has long been a stronghold for armed groups linked to Boko Haram and ISWAP. Security analysts say senior commanders operating in the area play a central role in planning attacks and coordinating logistics.
In a separate operation, troops working alongside the Civilian Joint Task Force carried out a planned ambush between Ngazalgana and Lamusheri communities after receiving intelligence on militant movements.
According to Uba, soldiers engaged the insurgents with direct fire, killing three fighters while others escaped with injuries. Troops recovered two AK 47 rifles from the scene.
He said the action was part of ongoing efforts to restrict militant movement and weaken their operational reach across the region.
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Meanwhile, on January 29, troops stationed at Tsokorok in Gwoza Local Government Area also encountered Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters during another ambush.
The military said one insurgent was killed during the exchange, while the remaining fighters retreated. No casualties were reported among the troops, and two motorcycles believed to have been used by the militants were seized.
The Nigerian military has intensified operations across the northeast in recent months, relying on surveillance and coordinated ground actions to target leadership figures and disrupt supply routes.
