The Nigerian military has killed 103 Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters and destroyed several logistics hubs and storage facilities in a series of air strikes across the North-East between October 10 and 18.
The Acting Military Information Officer at the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Maiduguri.
Goni said the operations involved coordinated air assets from Nigerian Army Aviation, the Nigerian Army Remotely Piloted Aircraft Regiment and the Air Component.
He said seven strikes targeted terrorist locations around Gudumbali in Guzamala Local Government Area, Badu and Mairari in Monguno Local Government Area, and Duste Uku in Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State, as well as the Arina Woje area of Monguno, Borno State.
According to him, a major success was recorded on Sunday when the Air Component launched a precision strike on the alternative residence of Abu Saleem, identified as ISWAP’s Wali of South Lake Chad, following intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations.
Subsequent human intelligence reportedly confirmed the deaths of Jindullah, a prominent ISWAP fighter said to be Abu Saleem’s chief security guard, and Abul Kissa, a member of the group’s Shura Council.
Other prominent fighters were also reportedly killed in the strike.
Goni said the targeted structure was completely destroyed alongside logistics assets, including nine boat engines and several motorcycles stored on the premises.
He added that the destruction had weakened the group’s ability to use the location as a safe haven and logistics base in the forested area.
In another operation on October 13, a Guardian air asset tracked a group of 16 terrorists from the Mairari axis to a gathering of more than 100 fighters accompanied by several motorcycles.
The gathering was located about 23 kilometres east of Badu and 19 kilometres west of Monguno. A subsequent precision strike reportedly killed about 30 terrorists, although the extent of damage to the motorcycles could not be confirmed.
Other strikes during the period targeted terrorist fighters and facilities around Gudumbali, Badu, Mairari and Duste Uku.
Goni said the operations maintained pressure on terrorist concentrations, leadership structures and logistics networks across the theatre.
He added that the coordinated use of air assets and ground forces remained central to efforts to weaken terrorist capabilities, disrupt command structures and restrict insurgent movements.
The military reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining operations to restore lasting peace and security across the North-East.
