Troops Intensify Air Campaign Against ISWAP in North-East
The Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation Hadin Kai, says seven precision air strikes conducted between October 10 and 18, 2026, resulted in the reported neutralisation of 103 terrorists and the destruction of several logistics hubs and storage facilities across parts of Borno and Adamawa states. The operation targeted Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters, leadership structures and logistics networks, with coordinated deployments involving Nigerian Army Aviation, the Nigerian Army Remotely Piloted Aircraft System Regiment and Air Component assets. OPHK spokesperson, Captain Mohammed Goni, said the strikes targeted locations around Gudumbali in Guzamala Local Government Area on October 10, Badu in Monguno on October 11, Mairari and an area east of Badu on October 13, and Duste Uku in Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State on October 16. He said the intelligence-led operations were designed to dismantle terrorist networks, disrupt their logistics and restrict their freedom of movement.
Goni said a major operation on October 18 targeted the alternate residence of Abu Saleem, identified by the military as ISWAP’s Wali of South Lake Chad, in the Arina Woje area of Monguno, Borno State. Subsequent intelligence reportedly confirmed the deaths of Jindullah, described as Abu Saleem’s chief security guard, and Abul Kissa, identified as a member of the group’s Shura Council, alongside other fighters. The strike also destroyed the targeted structure, nine boat engines and several motorcycles. In a separate operation on October 13, a Guardian air asset reportedly tracked 16 terrorists from the Mairari axis to a gathering of more than 100 fighters accompanied by motorcycles, about 23 kilometres east of Badu and 19 kilometres west of Monguno. Goni said the subsequent precision strike resulted in the assessed neutralisation of approximately 30 terrorists, although damage to the motorcycles could not be confirmed. He attributed the reported outcomes to intelligence gathering and coordination among air and ground forces, adding that Operation Hadin Kai would sustain efforts to weaken terrorist command structures, disrupt logistics and restore security across the North-East.
#UTVAfrica#
