The Nigerian military has recorded a major breakthrough in its counterinsurgency campaign with the elimination of senior Boko Haram and ISWAP commanders in Borno State.
The operation was carried out by troops of the Joint Task Force North East under Operation Hadin Kai.
The offensive was conducted under Operation Desert Sanity V along terrorist enclaves in the Sambisa Forest and Mandara Mountains axis on Thursday.
The operation followed intelligence reports indicating renewed terrorist movements and plans to attack military positions in the area.
Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, spokesman of Operation Hadin Kai, said the terrorists attempted a coordinated ambush using roadside improvised explosive devices and heavy gunfire.
He said troops of Sector 1 swiftly responded to the attack and overpowered the insurgents.
During the initial engagement, 10 terrorists were neutralized, including two senior commanders.
Further pursuit operations led to the killing of another high-ranking commander identified as Basulhu, alongside other fighters.
The military said exploitation of the area resulted in the recovery of three AK-47 rifles, one pump-action rifle, five motorcycles, two hand grenades, two Baofeng radios, and 12 AK-47 magazines.
Other items recovered included a rocket-propelled grenade charger, detonation cords, batteries, bandoliers, camel bags, iron bars, and materials used for manufacturing improvised explosive devices.
In a separate operation on another axis, troops of Sector 1 made contact with terrorists around the Malkube area.
Two terrorists were neutralized during the encounter, with no casualties recorded among the troops.
Additional AK-47 rifles, ammunition, and communication equipment were recovered from the area.
Earlier the same day, another battle group engaged Boko Haram and ISWAP elements attempting to infiltrate Nigeria from Cameroon near Galakura.
The terrorists were forced to withdraw after a brief exchange of fire.
Subsequent exploitation led to the recovery of more insurgent equipment, including two motorcycles.
The military said troop morale and combat efficiency remain high across the theatre of operations.
It added that sustained offensives will continue to dismantle terrorist networks and restore lasting security in the North East.
The Military High Command commended the troops for their professionalism and urged them to maintain the current operational tempo.
