BY: ABDULKADIR M LAWAN, OCTOBER 20, 2026/ 07:08AM
Almost 103 terrorists have been killed as the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), sustained intelligence-led precision air strikes against Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists across the theatre between 10 and 18 October 2026.
The military said the successes were recorded through the coordinated employment of Nigerian Army Aviation, the Nigerian Army Remotely Piloted Aircraft (NARPAS) Regiment and Air Component assets.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by Hadin Kai's spokesman, Capt. Mohammed Goni.
He said the sustained air campaign comprised seven strikes against terrorist targets around Gudumbali in Guzamala LGA on 10 October, Badu in Monguno LGA on 11 October, Mairari in Guzamala LGA and an area east of Badu on 13 October, Duste Uku in Gombi LGA of Adamawa State on 16 October, and the alternate residence of Abu Saleem, the ISWAP Wali of South Lake Chad, in the Arina Woje area of Monguno LGA on 18 October.
According to him, a significant success was recorded on 18 October when the air component conducted a precision strike against Abu Saleem's alternate residence following intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities.
Subsequent human intelligence (HUMINT) confirmed the neutralisation of Jindullah, a prominent ISWAP fighter reportedly serving as Abu Saleem's chief security guard.
The intelligence also confirmed the neutralisation of Abul Kissa, a member of the group's Shura Council, alongside other prominent fighters within the targeted premises.
Capt. Goni confirmed that the strike completely destroyed the targeted structure and key logistics assets, including nine boat engines and several motorcycles stored within the premises. It also disrupted terrorist concealment arrangements within the forested area.
He added that on 13 October, the Guardian air asset tracked a group of 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 LGA. A subsequent precision strike resulted in the assessed neutralisation of approximately 30 terrorists.
Collectively, the seven strikes resulted in the reported neutralisation of 103 terrorists and the destruction of several logistics hubs and storage facilities.
The military said the sustained successes underscore the effectiveness of coordinated, intelligence-led air operations in degrading terrorist capabilities, disrupting command structures and dismantling critical logistics networks.