Several top Islamic State–West Africa Province (ISWAP) commanders, including Fiya Abouzeid, Qaïd Abou Oumama, and Qaïd Malam Moustapha, as well as some religious leaders whose identities are unknown, have been killed.
Also killed were over 55 ISWAP terrorists.
The Niger Ministry of Defence revealed that it carried out a 22-day operation tagged Operation HARBIN ZUMA, targeting ISWAP strongholds.
The operation, it said, was coordinated by troops of Sector 3 and Sector 4 of the MNJTF.
The operation started on May 6, 2023, and ended on Sunday, May 28 where it killed the ISAWP terrorists and their commanders in Arege, Malam Fatori, Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to the report, the Niger-Nigerian Air Task Force and land forces worked together to locate the enemy and cause significant damage.
The troops destroyed 13 vehicles, 13 motorcycles and five Vehicles Borne Improvised Explosive Devices.
There were two casualties of soldiers from Nigérienne Sector 4 MNJTF with three slightly wounded, and one phantom Mrap was damaged during the operation.
The main aim of Operation HARBIN ZUMA was to neutralise terrorists in their stronghold in Aregé, Nigeria.
The operation also aimed to maintain pressure on the Islamic State in West Africa and eliminate any presence of armed terrorist groups in the Bosso, Baga, Goudoumbali and Gashigari areas.
The operation is set to cut off all supply routes for armed terrorist groups and reduce the threat in the region.
