Troops eliminate two terrorist commanders in Katsina

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have killed two senior commanders of a terrorist group led by notorious kingpin, Kachalla Muhammadu Filani, in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The two commanders, identified as Hamisu, also known as Mamiyo, and Umar Bocho, were killed during an intelligence-led operation around Kogo Village on Monday, August 31, according to the military.

The Media Information Officer of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, said troops of Sector 2 encountered the terrorists at a hideout and engaged them in a fierce gun battle.

He said Mamiyo was a notorious gunrunner and the second-in-command to Muhammadu Filani, while Umar Bocho was also a key member of the network.

Danja said Muhammadu Filani escaped from the encounter with gunshot wounds, adding that troops were continuing to search the area for the fleeing terrorist leader and other members of the group.

The military described the operation as a major blow to the terrorist network, saying the killing of the two commanders would degrade its operational capability and disrupt its criminal activities.