By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian military has neutralised 103 terrorists in seven precision air strikes targeting Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters, leadership structures and logistics facilities across the North-East between October 10 and 18, 2026.
The operations were conducted by the Joint Task Force North-East under Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), through coordinated efforts involving Nigerian Army Aviation, the Nigerian Army Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (NARPAS) Regiment and Air Component assets.
According to an official statement signed by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, the strikes targeted terrorist locations around Gudumbali, Badu, Mairari and Duste Uku, as well as the alternate residence of a senior ISWAP leader in Borno State.
The statement said a major success was recorded on October 18 when the Air Component conducted a precision strike on the alternate residence of Abu Saleem, the ISWAP Wali of South Lake Chad, in the Arina Woje area of Monguno Local Government Area, Borno State.
Subsequent human intelligence reportedly confirmed the neutralisation of Jindullah, a prominent ISWAP fighter said to be Abu Saleem’s chief security guard, and Abul Kissa, a member of the group’s Shura Council, alongside other fighters at the location.
The strike also destroyed the targeted structure and logistics assets, including nine boat engines and several motorcycles stored within the premises, further disrupting the group’s ability to use the location as a safe haven.
Another significant operation occurred on October 13 when a Guardian air asset tracked 16 terrorists from the Mairari axis to a gathering of more than 100 terrorists accompanied by several motorcycles, approximately 23 kilometres east of Badu and 19 kilometres west of Monguno.
A subsequent precision strike on the gathering resulted in the assessed neutralisation of approximately 30 terrorists. However, the extent of damage to the motorcycles could not be confirmed.
Other air strikes during the period targeted terrorist elements and facilities around Gudumbali in Guzamala Local Government Area, Badu in Monguno, Mairari in Guzamala and Duste Uku in Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
According to the military, the seven strikes collectively resulted in the reported neutralisation of 103 terrorists and the destruction of several logistics hubs and storage facilities, weakening ISWAP’s operational capabilities and disrupting its supply networks.
The statement added that sustained coordination among Nigerian Army Aviation, NARPAS, Air Component assets and ground forces remained central to the military’s efforts to dismantle terrorist networks, deny insurgents safe havens and restore lasting peace and security across the North-East.
