By Stella Odueme
The Air Component of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, has neutralised over 40 Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists, including a prominent commander, in a precision air strike on a terrorist enclave in Borno State.
The operation, conducted on October 10, 2026, targeted a terrorist hideout at Badu Village, south of Gudumbali in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State.
The strike followed credible intelligence reports indicating that ISWAP fighters were assembling to launch coordinated attacks on troops operating within Sector 3 of Operation HADIN KAI's area of responsibility.
Acting on the intelligence, the Air Component conducted targeted aerial surveillance, identified terrorist movements around suspected hideouts and logistics facilities, and subsequently launched a precision strike on a building occupied by the insurgents.
According to a statement by the Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Maiduguri, Captain Mohammed Goni, on Monday, preliminary human intelligence and battle damage assessment indicated that over 40 terrorists, including a prominent ISWAP Qaid (commander), were killed in the operation.
The strike also destroyed two vehicles and approximately 20 motorcycles used by the terrorists for transportation, logistics and offensive operations, significantly weakening their operational capacity and disrupting planned attacks on military positions and surrounding communities.
Further intelligence revealed that the targeted fighters belonged to ISWAP's Murabitun element, a specialised mobile fighting unit responsible for patrols, coordinating attacks and sustaining terrorist activities in the area.
The destruction of the enclave and its associated operational assets is expected to undermine the group's ability to launch attacks and sustain its activities in the Lake Chad region.
The military said further assessments were ongoing to determine the full extent of the damage inflicted during the operation.
The successful strike underscores the effectiveness of intelligence-led, technology-enabled and coordinated air operations in dismantling terrorist networks, disrupting hostile activities and denying insurgents freedom of action.
It also demonstrates the sustained operational momentum of troops under Operation HADIN KAI in degrading terrorist capabilities and strengthening security across Nigeria's North-East region.
The Joint Task Force reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining coordinated air and ground operations to eliminate terrorist threats, protect vulnerable communities and support ongoing efforts to restore lasting peace and stability in the region.