The Nigerian Army has said its troops killed two Boko Haram commanders and deputies to Abubakar Shekau, a factional leader of the terrorists group, in successful operations at Alafa in Borno on Sallah day.

This disclosure was made in a statement by the Army spokesman, Brig.-Gen Sani Usman.

The Army spokesman added that Shekau deputies that were killed in the onslaught included Afdu Kawuri and Abubakar Banishek.

“This is in addition to Ba’Abba Ibrahim and two other Boko Haram commanders that died after sustaining injuries during their last ambush at Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno,” Usman said.

It was gathered that five other key leaders of the group and close associates of Shekau were neutralised in joint bombardment in August.

Usman described Shekau’s latest video in which he taunted the army as an act of desperation and lies by remnants of the insurgents to instil unnecessary fear in law abiding citizens.

In the video, the group denied the killing of its five key commanders and claimed it had wonderful Sallah celebration in the Sambisa forest.

He said: “We wish to challenge the so-called terrorist leader to produce the five key commanders earlier killed or the video of those Ameers he claimed not dead and are still with him.

“It is also instructive to note that Shekau is scared and rattled by the 40-day ultimatum issued by the Chief of Army Staff to Operation LAFIYA DOLE to fish him out.”