Northeast: Airstrikes Eliminated 103 ISWAP Fighters in 8 Days

Sustained intelligence-led air operations by Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) reportedly killed 103 Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters and destroyed several logistics facilities across Borno and Adamawa states between October 10 and 18.

The operations involved Nigerian Army Aviation, the Nigerian Army Remotely Piloted Aircraft Regiment (NARPARS) and the Air Component, which conducted seven precision strikes against suspected terrorist concentrations, hideouts and logistics facilities.

Security sources said the strikes targeted locations around Gudumbali in Guzamala Local Government Area, Badu in Monguno LGA, Mairari, east of Badu, and Duste Uku in Gombi LGA of Adamawa State.

Another major target was the alternate residence of Abu Saleem, identified by the sources as ISWAP’s Wali of South Lake Chad, in the Arina Woje area of Monguno LGA, Borno State.

The operation against Abu Saleem’s hideout was conducted on October 18 following intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities.

According to the sources, subsequent human intelligence reportedly confirmed the deaths of Jindullah, a prominent ISWAP fighter said to have served as Abu Saleem’s chief security guard, and Abul Kissa, a member of the group’s Shura Council.

Several other fighters were also reportedly killed in the strike.

The targeted structure was completely destroyed, alongside logistics assets comprising nine boat engines and several motorcycles stored at the premises.

The destruction of the facility is expected to disrupt ISWAP’s use of the location as a hideout and logistics hub within the forested area.

In another operation on October 13, a Guardian air asset reportedly tracked a group of 16 suspected terrorists from the Mairari axis to a gathering of more than 100 fighters accompanied by several motorcycles.

The gathering was located approximately 23 kilometres east of Badu and 19 kilometres west of Monguno, according to the security sources.

A subsequent precision strike on the gathering was assessed to have killed about 30 fighters, although the extent of damage to the motorcycles remained unconfirmed.

Other air operations during the eight-day period targeted suspected terrorist elements and facilities around Gudumbali, Badu, Mairari and Duste Uku.

The military account attributed the reported cumulative toll of 103 fighters to the seven strikes, which also destroyed several logistics hubs and storage facilities.

The operations were aimed at weakening ISWAP’s leadership structures, disrupting its mobility and supply networks, and denying the group safe havens across the North-East.

The campaign also highlighted coordination among Nigerian Army Aviation, NARPARS, the Air Component and ground forces in intelligence-led operations against terrorist networks.

The military continues to apply pressure on ISWAP positions and logistics infrastructure as part of broader efforts to degrade the group’s operational capabilities and improve security across the Lake Chad Basin.

The reported casualty figures and identities of those killed were based on information provided by security sources.