The Nigerian military says Boko Haram has released a video tribute to one of its media operatives, identified as Abu Salim al-Barnawi, who was reportedly killed during a failed attack on a military base by troops of Operation Hadin Kai.
The three-minute, three-second video, reportedly obtained by security authorities, shows the deceased insurgent filming the group’s activities and participating in several operations. The footage is narrated in Arabic and serves as an obituary issued by the terrorist group following his death.
Acting Military Information Officer of the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammed Goni, who disclosed the development on Wednesday, said Abu Salim had previously led cross-border raids into Cameroon before joining Boko Haram’s media unit as a cameraman.
According to Goni, the insurgent was killed last week when terrorists attempted to overrun a Nigerian military camp but were repelled by troops.
The latest development comes days after the military announced the neutralisation of an Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) cameraman during a failed infiltration attempt in Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
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The operation, carried out by troops of Operation Hadin Kai, also led to the recovery of a Sony camcorder, terrorist uniforms, PKT ammunition, 7.62mm special rounds and other combat equipment.
The military further disclosed that video materials recovered during the operation pointed to the presence of three foreign facilitators within the terrorist network, including a Palestinian Arab reportedly serving as a trainer and a Moroccan Arab identified as the group’s medical doctor.
According to the army, the terrorists had attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach troops’ positions and loot cholera medical supplies before their operation was foiled.
Security authorities say the recovery of the video equipment and intelligence materials is expected to aid ongoing efforts to dismantle the operational and media networks of the insurgent groups in the North-East.
