Nigerian soldiers have killed Abul-Bas and Ibn Habib, identified as top factional commanders of Boko Haram in Borno state.

The commanders, said to be of the faction led by Abubakar Shekau, Boko Haram leader, were killed at Pulka, a town not far from Bama in Borno.

The troops had laid an ambush for the insurgents, and sources tell TheCable that the elimination of the duo would affect the operations of the insurgents in the north-eastern part of the country.

A motorcycle, weapons, ammunition, among other items, were recovered after the insurgents.

The development comes three days after troops repelled an attack by Boko Haram insurgents in Askira, Askira/Uba local government area of Borno state.

Nine gun trucks were recovered from the insurgents during that operation.

Mohammed Yerima, army spokesperson, confirmed the killing of the two factional leaders on Saturday.

“The renewed offensive operations by troops of Operation Tura Takaibango in Operation Lafiya Dole Theatre, has continued to inflict heavy casualty on the Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) and the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) criminals,” Yerima said.

“Among the latest exploits by the troops of Sector 1 was the ambush by troops of 121 and 151 Battalions on Tuesday, 9 February, 2021, sprang at BHTs crossing point between Vuria and Guja settlements along road Banki Junction, Pulka axis.

“During the ambush, the troops neutralised three BHTs, among who were two of the most wanted terrorist commanders known as ‘Abul-Bas’ and ‘Ibn Habib’.

“The troops also recovered three GPMG, seven AK47 rifles, a belt of ammunition containing 446 rounds of 7.62mm, one Boxer Motorcycle, one ITEL 2160 mobile phone, among others.

“Abul-Bas and Ibn Habib were among the top BHTs commanders of the Shekau faction operating in Sambisa forest and environs. The two BHT commanders have been on the Intelligence watch-list for some time. Abul-Bas was a top commander, second to Abu Fatima, while Ibn Habib was the BHT commander in charge of Njimia and Parisu camps in the Sambisa forest.

“The neutralisation of Abul-Bas and Ibn Habib by our gallant troops has inflicted a big blow on the operations of the terrorists and has further boosted the morale of own troops in the ongoing operation ‘Tura Takaibango’.”

According to the spokesman, Ibrahim Attahiru, the chief of army staff, commended the troops for the feat and other successes.

“He further charged them to intensify the aggressive clearance operation in order to clear the Sambisa forest and environs of all remnant terrorists and their collaborators,” Yerima added.