Linus Aleke in Abuja
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) yesterday revealed that the Air Component of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, eliminated a key ISWAP commander and eight other extremist fighters during a coordinated air interdiction operation in Borno State.
The Service said those killed were reportedly responsible for facilitating the movement and protection of high-value members of the group.
The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists have continued to attack soft targets in Borno and other North-East states in an apparent attempt to disguise their imminent defeat.
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have continued to repel attacks on communities and military formations while intensifying their onslaught against the extremists within their areas of responsibility, leading to the surrender of multiple terrorist fighters and their families.
According to a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the successful operation was conducted following credible intelligence on the activities and movements of suspected terrorists within the Sambisa Forest area.
“Acting on the intelligence, the NAF deployed a Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) to conduct persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), enabling the identification and tracking of a group of terrorists as they moved towards a suspected hideout. Following the positive identification and confirmation of the target, the NAF aircraft conducted a precision engagement on the location.
“Subsequent battle damage assessment indicated significant effects on the targeted compound, with several terrorists neutralised. Further intelligence received after the strike confirmed that nine ISWAP fighters were killed, while several others were wounded. Among those reportedly neutralised was Abu Khalid Al Muhajir, described as a prominent ISWAP commander responsible for providing special security escorts for the movement of senior members of the terrorist group,” the statement said.
Air Commodore Ejodame said his elimination represented a significant operational setback for ISWAP, particularly given his reported knowledge of the routes, terrain and tactical movements connecting major terrorist enclaves within the Sambisa Forest and surrounding areas.
He said: “Intelligence further indicated that some of the terrorists affected by the strike were assessed to be linked to elements suspected to have been involved in the recent ambush of Nigerian troops along the Bita–Yamtage axis in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. The latest success underscores the growing effectiveness of the NAF’s intelligence-driven air operations, particularly the integration of persistent ISR and precision-strike capabilities to detect, track and neutralise terrorist elements before they can regroup or threaten friendly forces and vulnerable communities. Beyond the immediate casualties, the operation is expected to disrupt ISWAP’s leadership protection arrangements, the movement of high-value personnel and the coordination of activities across its enclaves.”
The Nigerian Air Force, Ejodame said, would continue to sustain intelligence-led and precision air operations in close coordination with surface forces, with the objective of degrading terrorist capabilities, disrupting their freedom of movement and creating a more secure environment for affected communities across the North-East.