Niger: Army announces elimination of Bakoura, leader of Boko Haram, in air strike
The Nigerien army has announced the neutralization of Ibrahim Mahamadou, alias Bakoura, one of the historic leaders of the terrorist group Boko Haram, during a high-precision air operation carried out on August 15, 2025, in the Lake Chad region. This action, hailed as a strategic victory, marks a significant step in the fight against terrorism that has destabilized the Lake Chad basin for more than a decade.
According to the official statement, the operation was launched after several days of intelligence gathering and military preparation. The Nigerien Air Force targeted Shilawa Island, identified as a logistical base for the terrorist group. Three successive strikes were carried out on the camp where Bakoura was located, described by the general staff as “surgical” in order to minimize collateral damage.
Military authorities confirmed that the jihadist leader was killed instantly, putting an end to years of atrocities he orchestrated in the region.
This operation illustrates the growing operational capabilities of the Nigerien Armed Forces (FAN), determined to defend national sovereignty and protect civilians against the terrorist threat. It also fits within the regional framework of security cooperation undertaken by Sahel countries and those of the Lake Chad basin.
