The Nigerian Army says air strikes by the Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have killed 103 Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters in Borno and Adamawa states.
Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer at the headquarters of the Joint Task Force, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
Goni said the operations were conducted between October 10 and 18, 2026, using Nigerian Army Aviation, the Nigerian Army Remotely Piloted Aircraft (NARPAS) Regiment and air component assets.
According to the statement, the seven strikes targeted terrorist positions and facilities around Gudumbali in Guzamala Local Government Area, Badu in Monguno Local Government Area, Mairari in Guzamala and Duste Uku in Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
The operations also targeted the alternate residence of Abu Saleem, identified by the military as the ISWAP Wali of South Lake Chad, in the Arina Woje area of Monguno Local Government Area, Borno State, on October 18.
Goni said subsequent human intelligence confirmed the deaths of Jindullah, described as a prominent ISWAP fighter who reportedly served as Abu Saleem’s chief security guard, and Abul Kissa, a member of the group’s Shura Council, alongside other fighters at the targeted location.
He added that the strike destroyed the targeted structure and logistics assets, including nine boat engines and several motorcycles. The operation also disrupted the group’s concealment arrangements in the forested area, reducing its ability to use the location as a safe haven.
The military information officer said that on October 13, a Guardian air asset tracked 16 terrorists from the Mairari axis to a gathering of more than 100 fighters accompanied by several motorcycles, about 23 kilometres east of Badu and 19 kilometres west of Monguno.
He said a subsequent precision strike on the gathering killed about 30 terrorists, although the extent of damage to the motorcycles could not be confirmed.
Goni said the other strikes targeted ISWAP fighters and facilities around Gudumbali, Badu, Mairari and Duste Uku.
He added that the seven operations resulted in the reported deaths of 103 fighters and the destruction of several logistics hubs and storage facilities, weakening the group’s operational capabilities and its ability to sustain its activities.
Boluwatife Enome
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