By Saminu Ibrahim
The Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, has neutralised 103 Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in seven precision air strikes conducted across Borno and Adamawa states between October 10 and 18, 2026.
The operations also destroyed several terrorist logistics hubs, storage facilities and other assets, as the military intensified efforts to dismantle insurgent networks and restrict their movements across the North-East.
The strikes were carried out through coordinated operations involving Nigerian Army Aviation, the Nigerian Army Remotely Piloted Aircraft Regiment (NARPAS) and the Air Component.
In a statement on Monday, the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, said the operations targeted terrorist concentrations, leadership structures and logistics networks.
According to him, the strikes were conducted around Gudumbali in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State on October 10; Badu in Monguno LGA on October 11; Mairari in Guzamala and an area east of Badu on October 13; Duste Uku in Gombi LGA of Adamawa State on October 16; and the alternate residence of Abu Saleem, the ISWAP Wali of South Lake Chad, in Arina Woje, Monguno LGA, on October 18.
Goni described the October 18 operation against Abu Saleem’s alternate residence as a significant success, noting that it followed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities.
He said subsequent human intelligence confirmed the neutralisation of Jindullah, a prominent ISWAP fighter reportedly serving as Abu Saleem’s chief security guard, as well as Abul Kissa, a member of the group’s Shura Council.
Other prominent fighters were also reportedly killed in the strike.
The military spokesman said the attack completely destroyed the targeted structure and key logistics assets, including nine boat engines and several motorcycles kept at the premises.
He added that the operation disrupted the terrorists’ concealment arrangements within the forested area, weakening their ability to use the location as a safe haven.
Goni also disclosed that an air asset, identified as Guardian, tracked a group of 16 terrorists from the Mairari axis on October 13 to a gathering of more than 100 fighters accompanied by several motorcycles.
The gathering was located approximately 23 kilometres east of Badu and 19 kilometres west of Monguno.
He said a subsequent precision strike on the gathering resulted in the assessed neutralisation of about 30 terrorists, although the extent of damage to the motorcycles could not be immediately confirmed.
The other strikes targeted terrorist elements and facilities around Gudumbali, Badu, Mairari and Duste Uku.
According to the statement, the seven operations collectively resulted in the reported neutralisation of 103 terrorists and the destruction of several logistics hubs and storage facilities, significantly disrupting ISWAP’s operational capabilities.
The military said the successes demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-led air operations and coordination among the various military components and ground forces.
It reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining operational pressure on insurgents, denying them safe havens and restoring lasting peace and security across the North-East.
Goni issued the statement on October 19, 2026, in Maiduguri.
