• Nigerian army kills top Boko Haram commander Abu Khalid and 10 members.
• Operation took place in the Sambisa Forest, Borno state.
• The raid follows recent deadly attacks by Boko Haram militants.
• U.S. intelligence efforts aid Nigerian military operations.
• Nigeria faces a complex security crisis with ongoing violent insurgency.

The Nigerian army reported that it killed QAbu Khalid, a significant commander of Boko Haram, along with 10 members of the group during a night raid in the northeastern part of the country. This operation occurred in the Sambisa Forest region of Borno state, reflecting continued military efforts against the insurgency, according to SCMP and LA Times.

During this operation, the army seized weapons, food items, and medical supplies from the militants. This announcement follows recent attacks by Boko Haram that resulted in numerous civilian casualties, emphasizing the escalating violence in the region, according to AA and LA Times.

This operation is part of a broader strategy by the Nigerian military to engage insurgents proactively rather than reactively. Experts like Taiwo Adebayo noted that this shift began last month and is supported by U.S. intelligence-gathering flights over Borno. Such assistance has played a crucial role in enhancing the effectiveness of counterterrorism operations, according to SCMP and AA.

The ongoing insurgency has left over 35,000 civilians dead and displaced more than 2 million people since Boko Haram's rise in 2009. The conflict has extended beyond Nigeria to neighboring countries, exacerbating regional instability and humanitarian crises, according to LA Times and SCMP.