The Multi-National Joint TaskForce has killed a high ranking Islamic State West Africa Province commander, Khalifa Umar, in an airstrike in the Lake Chad Basin.

Umar, who was the Chief Judge of ISWAP and a high-value target, was neutralised on Saturday in Tunbum Sabon.

Disclosing this in a statement on Sunday night, Chief of Military Public Information, MNJTF, Col. Timothy Antigha said three other senior commanders of ISWAP were also neutralised in a separate interdiction in Kwalaram.

It stated,

“In continuation of the ongoing offensive operations against the Islamic State West Africa Province and other purveyors of violence and instability in the Lake Chad Basin, the Air Task Force of the MNJTF neutralised the third-ranking commander in ISWAP leadership echelon, Amir Khalifa Umar in an air interdiction conducted yesterday (Saturday) in Tunbum Sabon.

“Khalifa Umar was a high-value target considering that he was also the Chief Judge of ISWAP.”

The MNJTF said more details on the full battle damage assessment would be provided subsequently.

Antigha revealed that an airstrike on an ISWAP training camp and mustering area in Tumbun Madayi about three days also yielded expected result.

He said several terrorists and their commanders who gathered for training or an attack were neutralised or maimed.

“Battle damage assessment indicates that a sizeable ISWAP terror infrastructure was destroyed,” the spokesman noted.

The MNJTF said it was firm in its resolve, in partnership with national forces and operations, to “intensify pressure on ISWAP until it capitulates.”