The Nigerian Army says air strikes by the joint task force (north-east), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have killed 103 Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters in Borno and Adamawa states.
Mohammed Goni, acting military information officer at the headquarters of the joint task force, shared this in a statement on Monday.
Goni said the strikes against ISWAP took place between October 10 and 18.
He said the operations, carried out using Nigerian Army Aviation, the Nigerian Army remotely piloted aircraft (NARPAS) regiment and air component assets, destroyed several logistics hubs and storage facilities.
“The sustained air campaign comprised seven strikes against terrorist targets around Gudumbali in Guzamala Local Government Area (LGA) on 10 October, Badu in Monguno LGA on 11 October, Mairari in Guzamala LGA and an area east of Badu on 13 October, Duste Uku in Gombi LGA of Adamawa State on 16 October, and the alternate residence of Abu Saleem, the ISWAP Wali of South Lake Chad, in the Arina Woje area of Monguno LGA, Borno State, on 18 October 2026,” the statement reads.
“These operations reflect sustained operational pressure on terrorist concentrations, leadership structures and logistics networks across the theatre.
“Subsequent human intelligence (HUMINT) confirmed the neutralisation of Jindullah, a prominent ISWAP fighter reportedly serving as Abu Saleem’s chief security guard.
“The intelligence also confirmed the neutralisation of Abul Kissa, a member of the group’s Shura Council, alongside other prominent fighters within the targeted premises.”
Goni added that the strike destroyed the targeted structure and logistics assets, including nine boat engines and several motorcycles stored within the premises.
He said the operation also disrupted the group’s concealment arrangements in the forested area, undermining its ability to use the location as a safe haven.
According to the information officer, on October 13, a Guardian air asset tracked 16 terrorists from the Mairari axis to a gathering of more than 100 fighters accompanied by several motorcycles, about 23 kilometres east of Badu and 19 kilometres west of Monguno LGA.
He said a subsequent precision strike on the gathering resulted in the deaths of about 30 terrorists, although the extent of damage to the motorcycles remained unconfirmed.
“The other strikes during the period targeted terrorist elements and facilities around Gudumbali, Badu, Mairari and Duste Uku,” the statement reads.
“Collectively, the seven strikes resulted in the reported neutralisation of 103 terrorists and the destruction of several logistics hubs and storage facilities, significantly disrupting the group’s operational capabilities and capacity to sustain its activities.”
