The Nigerian Army has claimed a major victory in the ongoing war against Boko Haram, announcing on Saturday night that its troops conducted an operation that led to the killing of two key commanders of the dreaded sect. 

Abdul-Bas and Ibn Habib have long been identified as strategists for Boko Haram and placed on the most-wanted list by the Nigerian Army. They were killed in an operation tagged “TURA TAKAIBANGO” in Borno, a military statement said. 

The operation was executed by troops of 121 and 151 Battalions Tuesday when they ambushed fighters of the jihadists group while crossing between Vuria and Guja settlements along road Banki Junction within Pulka axis, Army spokesman Mohammed Yerima said. 

“During the ambush, the troops neutralized 3 BHTs among who were 2 of the most wanted Terrorist Commanders known as “Abul-Bas and Ibn Habib,” the brigadier-general said.

Weapons recovered included three GPMG, seven AK47 rifles and a belt of ammunition containing 446 rounds of 7.62mm. Other items included one Boxer Motorcycle and one ITEL 2160 mobile phone.

The army said Abul-Bas and Ibn Habib were top terrorist commanders of the Shekau faction operating in Sambisa Forest and nearby trenches. 

“The two Boko Haram Commanders have been on the Intelligence watch-list for some time. Abul-Bas was a top commander second to Abu Fatima while Ibn Habib was the BHT Commander in charge of Njimia and Parisu camps in the Sambisa Forest.

The army said the fatal attack on Boko Haram commanders inflicted a big blow on the operations of the terrorists and has further boosted the morale of troops in the ongoing operation.

The military has continued to claim victory in the war against insurgency despite the onslaught of Boko Haram across the beleaguered north-east region.

It was not immediately clear whether forensics experts have confirmed that those killed were actually the commanders. The military has over the years claimed to kill the jihadists group leader, Abubakar Shekau. 

The insurgency has ravaged Nigeria’s northeast since 2009, leading to the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians and security operatives; while over two million were displaced internally and across the border into Cameroon, Lake Chad and Niger Republic.