Military Air Strikes Kill 103 ISWAP Terrorists in Eight Days, Destroy Logistics Hubs
The Nigerian military has announced the elimination of 103 terrorists affiliated with the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) during a series of intelligence-led air strikes conducted across the North-East between October 10 and 18, 2026.
The operations, carried out under the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), also resulted in the destruction of several terrorist logistics hubs, storage facilities and other assets used to support the group’s activities.
In a statement, Acting Military Information Officer at OPHK Headquarters, Captain Mohammed Goni, said the successes were achieved through coordinated operations involving Nigerian Army Aviation, the Nigerian Army Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (NARPAS) Regiment and Nigerian Air Force air assets.
Goni said the strikes targeted terrorist positions in Gudumbali and Mairari in Guzamala Local Government Area, Badu and Monguno in Monguno LGA, and Duste Uku in Gombi LGA of Adamawa State, among other locations.
He explained that the sustained air campaign was aimed at dismantling terrorist networks, disrupting their logistics and restricting their ability to operate freely across the theatre.
A major breakthrough was recorded on October 18, when the Air Component conducted a precision strike on an alternative residence of Abu Saleem, identified as the ISWAP Wali of the South Lake Chad area, in Arina Woje, Monguno LGA of Borno State.
According to Goni, subsequent human intelligence reports confirmed the deaths of Jindullah, reportedly Abu Saleem’s chief security guard and a prominent ISWAP fighter, and Abul Kissa, a member of the group’s Shura Council, alongside other fighters at the targeted location.
In a separate statement, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) confirmed an air interdiction operation against an identified terrorist hideout in the Lake Chad region on October 19, which preliminary post-strike assessments indicated had eliminated several prominent ISWAP operatives.
The Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, identified Jindullah as a key figure in Abu Saleem’s security network and described Abul Kissa as a member of ISWAP’s Shura Council.
Ejodame added that the operation also destroyed logistical assets, including boat engines and motorcycles, believed to have supported the terrorists’ movements and operational activities.
He said the strike formed part of the Nigerian Air Force’s ongoing efforts to weaken terrorist networks through intelligence-driven operations, particularly in difficult terrain across the North-East.
According to the NAF spokesperson, eliminating key operatives and destroying logistics equipment would further undermine ISWAP’s operational capacity and limit its ability to coordinate attacks and threaten vulnerable communities.
The military said the sustained operations reflected its determination to maintain pressure on terrorist formations, leadership structures and supply networks across the North-East.
