The troops of Theatre Command, North East, ‘Operation Hadin Kai’ have successfully eliminated a top commander of the Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād, otherwise known as Boko Haram, Tahir Baga.
This followed the continuation of major offensive at terrorists enclaves in Sambisa Forest.
According to Vanguard, sources revealed that Tahir was neutralized on May 13, 2024, when the troops unleashing the major operation codenamed ‘Operation Desert Sanity III’, moved down terrorists’ enclaves of Shababul Umma, Garin Panel Beater and Lagara Anguwan Gwaigwai right at the heart of the forest.
Intelligence sources and Zagazola Makama, a Counterinsurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad region also confirmed the incident to newsmen on Tuesday.
It was gathered that, in the course of the offensive, contact was made with the terrorists which led to the defeat of the terrorist top commander as well as some of his lieutenants while several others escaped with gunshot wounds.
“Tahir Baga, was a close Ally to Abubakar Shekau. He was among the first sets who founded the Boko Haram movement in Maiduguri before moving into Sambisa Forest with the likes of Mamman Nur, Khalid Albarnawi, Abubakar Shekau, Kaka Ali, Mustapha Chad, Abu Maryam and Abu Krimima.
“Tahir Baga was a revered Imam who was respected among the Sect group. He had on several basis truncated efforts of many fighters and their families to surrender and has also pushed many under aged girls to go on suicide bombing after convincing that they will be granted paradise as everlasting reward,” the source said.
The killing of Tahir Baga is a major blow to the Boko Haram terrorists group.
Another source, according to Vanguard, said “the neutralizing and sacking of terrorist communities also led to the rescue of 14 persons comprising 4 women and 10 children from the terrorists’ captivity”.