Operation HADIN KAI has announced the elimination of Abu Salim al-Barnawi, a senior Boko Haram/ISWAP operative who served as the terrorist group’s chief photographer and propaganda operative, in what the military described as another major setback for the insurgents’ media and operational capabilities.
According to an official signed statement by Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Abu Salim was killed during the failed terrorist attack on a military location at Cross Kauwa on July 12, 2026, alongside other members of the ISWAP mobile media team, including Abu Umar Khattab and Abu Khalid Usman.
The statement recalled that a video camera used by the terrorists was recovered during the operation, corroborating earlier reports issued by the military following the failed attack.
It explained that Abu Salim al-Barnawi had previously commanded cross-border terrorist raids into Cameroon before being reassigned to the group’s media wing, where he was responsible for photographing and filming terrorist operations, producing propaganda materials, and disseminating extremist content aimed at recruiting vulnerable individuals and misleading the public.
The military disclosed that the terrorist group has now publicly acknowledged his death through the publication of an obituary, describing the development as further evidence of the increasing pressure being mounted against Boko Haram and ISWAP by Operation HADIN KAI.
According to the statement, the failed infiltration attempt at Cross Kauwa resulted in heavy casualties among the terrorists, including the elimination of several high-profile fighters. Among those killed was a Syrian national and a commander identified as Aliyu Zabarmari, while another foreign mercenary of Arab origin remains unaccounted for. Several other key fighters were also reported to have sustained serious injuries while retreating under sustained military pressure.
Operation HADIN KAI stated that the death of Abu Salim and other members of the mobile media team has significantly weakened the terrorists’ operational effectiveness by degrading their propaganda machinery, disrupting their command structure, and limiting their ability to project influence, coordinate attacks, and recruit new members.
The military further noted that the publication of an obituary by the terrorist group reflects the growing difficulty it faces in replacing experienced operatives who have been systematically eliminated during ongoing military operations.
Reaffirming its commitment to the counter-insurgency campaign, Operation HADIN KAI said it would sustain intelligence-driven offensive operations to eliminate the remaining Boko Haram and ISWAP elements, dismantle their support and propaganda networks, deny them freedom of action, and restore lasting peace and security across the North-East.
