ABUJA, Nigeria — In a significant blow to the ongoing insurgency in northeastern Nigeria, the Nigerian army announced on Sunday that it had killed a top Boko Haram commander and 10 of the group's militants during a nighttime raid in Borno state.
The operation took place late Saturday in the Kodunga area, a region known for harboring insurgent hideouts within the vast Sambisa Forest. According to army spokesman Sani Uba, the targeted commander, identified as Abu Khalid, played a crucial role in the group's activities. "Abu Khalid, a commander of Boko Haram in the Sambisa Forest in Borno state, was a key figure within 'the terrorist hierarchy, coordinating operations and logistics in the Sambisa axis,'" Uba said in an official statement released to the press.
Soldiers from the Nigerian military launched the assault under the cover of darkness, engaging the militants in a fierce firefight. Uba reported that the raid resulted in the neutralization of 11 insurgents in total, with no casualties on the army's side mentioned in the initial announcement. Among the items recovered from the site were weapons, food supplies, and medical materials, which the army said were intended to support further militant operations in the area.
This raid comes amid a renewed push by Nigerian forces against Boko Haram and its affiliates, following a series of deadly attacks by the group earlier in the week. On Tuesday and Wednesday, militants struck a construction site and a military base in Borno state, killing dozens of civilians and soldiers, according to local reports. The violence has underscored the persistent threat posed by the extremists, who continue to exploit the rugged terrain of the northeast for ambushes and supply runs.
Boko Haram, which launched its insurgency in 2009 with the aim of overthrowing the Nigerian government and imposing a strict interpretation of Islamic law, has evolved into a fragmented network over the years. The group, whose name translates to "Western education is forbidden," initially focused on rejecting secular schooling but has since expanded into widespread terrorism, including bombings, kidnappings, and village raids. A splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), has aligned itself with the global Islamic State network, complicating efforts to dismantle the threat.
The insurgency has exacted a devastating toll on the region. According to United Nations estimates, the violence has claimed the lives of about 35,000 civilians and displaced more than 2 million people since its inception. The conflict has not remained confined to Nigeria's borders, spilling over into neighboring countries like Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, where multinational forces have joined the fight.
Experts point to a shift in the Nigerian military's strategy as a factor in recent successes like the Kodunga raid. Taiwo Adebayo, a researcher specializing in Boko Haram at the Institute for Security Studies, noted that the army initiated an offensive last month, moving proactively into insurgent strongholds rather than waiting for attacks. "It marked 'a departure from the usual reactive posture that saw the military suffer dozens of raids on their camps last year,'" Adebayo said in an interview.
Adebayo attributed part of this improved intelligence and operational capability to international support, particularly from the United States. Since last November, U.S. forces have conducted surveillance flights over Borno state, providing real-time data that has aided Nigerian troops in pinpointing militant locations. This collaboration has reportedly enhanced the precision of raids, allowing for targeted strikes that minimize collateral damage while maximizing impact on leadership figures like Abu Khalid.
The elimination of a commander such as Abu Khalid could disrupt Boko Haram's command structure in the Sambisa Forest, a sprawling 60,000-square-kilometer expanse of woodland and swamps that has long served as a safe haven for the group. Sambisa, once a game reserve, became a militant bastion after the army cleared it partially in 2016, but insurgents have since regrouped there. Losing key logistics coordinators might hinder the group's ability to mount coordinated assaults or sustain its fighters amid supply shortages.
However, the raid's long-term effects remain to be seen. Boko Haram has a history of resilience, with leaders often replaced quickly from within its ranks. The group has also adapted by allying with ISWAP, which has grown in influence and now controls swaths of territory along Lake Chad, using them for smuggling and recruitment.
Nigeria's security landscape is further complicated by overlapping crises. In addition to the northeastern insurgency, the country faces a surge in banditry and kidnappings in the northwest and north-central regions. Gunmen, often operating in heavily armed convoys, have abducted hundreds of students, travelers, and villagers in recent months, demanding ransoms that fund their operations. These incidents have strained the military's resources, as troops are stretched thin across multiple fronts.
International involvement has intensified in response to these threats. In December, the United States carried out airstrikes in northern Nigeria targeting Islamic State fighters, following reports that the Nigerian government had struggled to curb attacks on Christian communities and other vulnerable groups. U.S. officials cited the strikes as necessary to prevent the spread of extremism, though they drew criticism from some Nigerian leaders concerned about sovereignty.
The Nigerian army's statement on the Kodunga raid emphasized the operation's success as part of a broader campaign to restore peace. Uba highlighted the recovered supplies as evidence of the militants' preparations for future attacks, suggesting that the raid preempted potential violence. Local communities in Borno, long weary of the endless cycle of raids and displacements, have expressed cautious optimism, though many remain skeptical given past unfulfilled promises of security.
As the offensive continues, questions linger about sustaining momentum. Analysts like Adebayo stress the need for not just military action but also addressing root causes, such as poverty and lack of governance in the northeast, which fuel recruitment. The United Nations and humanitarian organizations have called for increased aid to support displaced populations, warning that without it, the insurgency could regain ground.
For now, the death of Abu Khalid represents a tactical victory for Nigerian forces, but the fight against Boko Haram shows no signs of abating. With the dry season approaching, which typically aids militant mobility, the army is preparing for intensified engagements. Officials in Abuja have vowed to press the advantage, aiming to dismantle the group's remaining networks before they can regroup.