Nigerian troops say airstrikes killed 103 suspected ISWAP fighters and destroyed logistics hubs, boat engines and motorcycles in operations across the North-East
Nigerian Military Deals Major Blow to ISWAP, Kills 103 Fighters in Airstrikes
By Agency Report
Nigerian troops have killed 103 suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters and destroyed several terrorist logistics hubs and storage facilities during a series of airstrikes across the North-East between October 10 and 18, the military has said.
The Acting Military Information Officer at the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation Hadin Kai, Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Maiduguri.
According to Goni, the operations involved coordinated air assets from Nigerian Army Aviation, the Nigerian Army Remotely Piloted Aircraft Regiment (NARPARS) and the Air Component.
He said the military conducted seven strikes against suspected terrorist locations around Gudumbali in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State; Badu and Mairari in Monguno Local Government Area; Duste Uku in Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State; and the Arina Woje area of Monguno.
One of the major operations occurred on Sunday when the Air Component launched a precision strike on the alternate residence of Abu Saleem, identified by the military as the ISWAP Wali of South Lake Chad, following intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities.
Goni said subsequent human intelligence confirmed the deaths of Jindullah, a prominent ISWAP fighter reportedly serving as Abu Saleem’s chief security guard, and Abul Kissa, a member of the group’s Shura Council.
He added that several other prominent fighters were also killed in the operation.
The targeted structure was completely destroyed alongside logistics assets, including nine boat engines and several motorcycles stored within the premises, according to the military.
Goni said the destruction of the facility had further weakened ISWAP’s ability to use the location as a safe haven and logistics base in the forested area.
In another operation on October 13, he said a Guardian air asset tracked a group of 16 suspected terrorists from the Mairari axis to a gathering of more than 100 fighters accompanied by several motorcycles.
The gathering was reportedly located about 23 kilometres east of Badu and 19 kilometres west of Monguno.
A subsequent precision strike on the group resulted in the assessed killing of about 30 suspected terrorists, Goni said, adding that the extent of damage to the motorcycles remained unconfirmed.
Other airstrikes during the period targeted suspected terrorist fighters and facilities around Gudumbali, Badu, Mairari and Duste Uku.
Goni said the operations demonstrated sustained military pressure on terrorist concentrations, leadership structures and logistics networks across the theatre.
He added that the coordinated deployment of air assets and ground forces remained central to efforts to degrade terrorist capabilities, disrupt command structures and restrict insurgent movements.
The military, he said, remained committed to sustaining operational momentum and advancing efforts to restore lasting peace and security across Nigeria’s North-East.
(NAN)
