Air strikes by troops of Operation Hadin Kai, OPHK, reportedly killed 103 Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, fighters and destroyed several logistics facilities in Borno and Adamawa states between October 10 and 18.
Security analyst and counter-insurgency expert in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama disclosed the development in a post via his X handle.
The operations involved Nigerian Army Aviation, the Nigerian Army Remotely Piloted Aircraft Regiment and the Air Component, which carried out seven precision strikes against suspected terrorist positions, hideouts and logistics facilities.
According to the report, the strikes targeted locations around Gudumbali in Guzamala Local Government Area, Badu and Mairari in Monguno LGA of Borno State, as well as Duste Uku in Gombi LGA of Adamawa State.
One of the operations targeted an alternative residence of Abu Saleem, identified in the report as ISWAP’s Wali of South Lake Chad, in the Arina Woje area of Monguno.
The strike followed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities on October 18. Subsequent human intelligence reportedly confirmed the deaths of Jindullah, described as Abu Saleem’s chief security guard, and Abul Kissa, a member of the group’s Shura Council.
Other suspected ISWAP fighters were also reportedly killed in the strike, while the targeted structure was destroyed alongside nine boat engines and several motorcycles.
In another operation on October 13, an air asset reportedly tracked 16 fighters from the Mairari axis to a gathering of more than 100 suspected terrorists accompanied by motorcycles.
The gathering was located about 23 kilometres east of Badu and 19 kilometres west of Monguno. A subsequent air strike was assessed to have killed about 30 fighters, although the extent of damage to the motorcycles was not confirmed.
Other strikes targeted suspected ISWAP fighters and facilities around Gudumbali, Badu, Mairari and Duste Uku.
According to the report, the operations were aimed at disrupting the group’s leadership, restricting its movement and logistics, and denying it safe havens across the North-East.
North-East: Military air strikes neutralise 103 ISWAP fighters in eight days