Boko Haram has released a three-minute tribute video honouring one of its cameramen and media operatives, Abu Salim al-Barnawi, who was killed during a failed attack on a Nigerian military position in Borno State.
The Arabic-narrated video reportedly shows the deceased filming the group’s activities and participating in several operations before his death.
The Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Muhammed Goni, said Abu Salim was neutralised by Nigerian troops during an attempted raid on a military camp last week.
According to the military, the slain terrorist had previously led attacks into Cameroon before later becoming a key member of Boko Haram’s media and propaganda unit. Captain Goni described the video released by the group as an obituary paying tribute to the fallen operative.
The development comes weeks after troops of Operation HADIN KAI announced the killing of an ISWAP cameraman during a military operation in Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
During that operation, troops recovered a Sony camcorder, ammunition, terrorist uniforms, and other combat materials. The military said intelligence obtained from the recovered items suggested the involvement of foreign facilitators allegedly supporting the terrorist group.
Military authorities also disclosed that the terrorists had attempted to use the cover of darkness to attack the military position and loot cholera medical supplies, but the assault was successfully repelled by troops.
