The Nigerian Army personnel under Operations Hadin Kai have reportedly killed Tahir Baga, a top commander of the terrorist group Boko Haram, also known as Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād, during an operation which took place in the Sambisa Forest in Borno State.
Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert and security analyst in the Lake Chad region, confirmed that Baga was killed on Monday during a raid on terrorist enclaves in Shababul Umma, Garin Panel Beater, and Lagara Anguwan Gwaigwai at the heart of the forest.
Makama noted that heavy gun battles between the troops and terrorists resulted in the deaths of several top Boko Haram commanders, including Baga. Several terrorists managed to escape with gunshot wounds.
“Tahir Baga was a close ally of Abubakar Shekau and one of the original founders of the Boko Haram movement in Maiduguri,” Makama said.
“He later moved to Sambisa Forest with key figures like Mamman Nur, Khalid Albarnawi, Abubakar Shekau, Kaka Ali, Mustapha Chad, Abu Maryam, and Abu Krimima.
Baga was a revered Imam within the group and often thwarted efforts by fighters and their families to surrender.
He also persuaded many under-aged girls to carry out suicide bombings, promising them paradise as a reward.”
Makama emphasized that Baga’s death is a significant blow to Boko Haram Terrorists.
