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Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have reportedly killed a notorious commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Bako Gorgore, in a significant blow to the terrorist group’s leadership structure.
Security sources said Gorgore, also known as Abou Mustapha, was neutralised during a fierce encounter with troops in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, one of the strongholds of insurgent activities in the Lake Chad region.
Counter-insurgency analyst Zagazola Makama disclosed that the top commander’s death was confirmed through multiple intelligence channels after security operatives intercepted internal communications among ISWAP fighters acknowledging the loss.
Military intelligence sources described Gorgore as one of the group’s most influential field commanders and a key figure in ISWAP’s violent campaign against rival jihadist factions in the region.
He was believed to have played a prominent role during the deadly offensive that targeted the camp of former Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, an assault that reshaped the balance of power among extremist groups operating in the North-East.
Security experts say the elimination of Gorgore could further weaken ISWAP’s operational coordination around the Lake Chad axis, particularly in remote communities where the group has maintained a strong presence.
The development is seen as another tactical success for Nigerian troops engaged in ongoing counter-terrorism operations aimed at dismantling insurgent networks across Borno and neighbouring states.
While the military is yet to release an official statement on the operation, security analysts believe the death of the senior commander may trigger internal power struggles within ISWAP’s ranks as the group attempts to reorganise its leadership structure.
Operation Hadin Kai has in recent months intensified ground and intelligence-driven operations across insurgent enclaves, recording several breakthroughs in the fight against terrorism in the North-East.
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