Airstrike Kills 40 ISWAP Fighters, Destroys Vehicles in Borno Operation
At least 40 fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have reportedly been killed in an airstrike by the Air Component of the Joint Task Force, North East, under Operation HADIN KAI in Borno State.
Captain Mohammed Goni, the task force’s information officer, disclosed the development in a statement on Monday. He said the operation targeted a suspected terrorist enclave in Badu Village, south of Gudumbali, in Guzamala Local Government Area over the weekend.
Goni said the strike followed intelligence reports that ISWAP fighters had gathered at the location to prepare coordinated attacks against troops operating within Sector 3’s area of responsibility. The military said the operation was launched to disrupt the planned attacks before they could be carried out.
According to the statement, the Air Component conducted aerial surveillance after receiving the intelligence, identified suspected fighter movements around hideouts and logistics facilities, and then struck a building reportedly occupied by the group.
The task force spokesman said a prominent ISWAP commander was among those killed in the operation. However, the statement did not identify the commander or provide further details about the individual’s role within the group.
The airstrike also reportedly destroyed two vehicles and about 20 motorcycles allegedly used by the fighters for transportation, logistics and offensive operations. The military said the destruction of these assets would affect the group’s ability to move personnel and supplies.
Goni said the operation had weakened ISWAP’s fighting capacity and disrupted its plans to attack military positions and nearby communities. The reported strike forms part of ongoing military operations against insurgent groups in Nigeria’s North-East.
The casualty figure and details of the operation were provided by the task force. The statement did not include independent confirmation of the reported deaths or additional information about possible casualties among civilians.