The Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), says its airstrikes across Borno and Adamawa states killed 103 Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists and destroyed several logistics hubs and storage facilities between October 10 and 18, 2026.
The military said the operations were part of ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks, disrupt their logistics and restrict their movements across the North-East.
In a statement issued in Maiduguri on Monday, the Acting Military Information Officer of OPHK, Captain Mohammed Goni, said the operations involved Nigerian Army Aviation, the Nigerian Army Remotely Piloted Aircraft (NARPAS) Regiment and Air Component assets.
According to the statement, seven airstrikes targeted suspected terrorist locations around Gudumbali and Mairari in Guzamala Local Government Area (LGA), Badu in Monguno LGA, an area east of Badu, Duste Uku in Gombi LGA of Adamawa State, and the alternate residence of Abu Saleem, identified by the military as the ISWAP Wali of South Lake Chad, in Arina Woje, Monguno LGA, Borno State.
Airstrike Targets ISWAP Commander’s Alternate Residence
One of the major operations took place on October 18, when an intelligence-led precision strike targeted the alternate residence of Abu Saleem in Arina Woje.
OPHK said the strike followed intelligence gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance activities. Subsequent human intelligence reportedly confirmed the deaths of Jindullah, described as a prominent ISWAP fighter and Abu Saleem’s chief security guard, and Abul Kissa, a member of the group’s Shura Council, alongside other fighters.
The military said the strike destroyed the targeted structure and several logistics assets, including nine boat engines and motorcycles stored at the premises.
It added that the operation disrupted ISWAP’s concealment arrangements in the forested area, reducing the group’s ability to use the location as a safe haven.
Strike on ISWAP Gathering Leaves About 30 Fighters Dead
In another operation conducted on October 13, the military said a Guardian air asset tracked 16 terrorists moving from the Mairari axis towards a gathering of more than 100 fighters.
The gathering, reportedly accompanied by several motorcycles, was located approximately 23 kilometres east of Badu and 19 kilometres west of Monguno in Borno State.
According to OPHK, a subsequent precision strike resulted in the assessed neutralisation of approximately 30 terrorists. However, the extent of damage to the motorcycles at the scene remained unconfirmed.
Other air operations targeted terrorist elements and facilities around Gudumbali, Badu, Mairari and Duste Uku.
Military Says Operations Disrupted ISWAP Logistics
OPHK said the seven airstrikes conducted between October 10 and 18 collectively resulted in the reported deaths of 103 terrorists and the destruction of several logistics hubs and storage facilities.
The military said the operations were designed to weaken ISWAP’s operational capacity by disrupting its supply networks, destroying assets and denying its fighters access to safe havens.
The coordinated missions involved aviation units and remotely piloted aircraft, with intelligence-led targeting playing a key role in identifying suspected terrorist positions.
The military reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining coordinated air operations and strengthening cooperation between aviation units and ground forces.
It said the ongoing efforts were aimed at denying terrorists freedom of movement, dismantling their networks and restoring peace and security across Nigeria’s North-East.
The reported casualty figures and operational outcomes were provided by the military.
