Troops Neutralises 103 Terrorists, Destroys Logistics Facilities In Eight-day Air Campaign
The Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), has neutralised 103 Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists and destroyed several logistics hubs and storage facilities during an eight-day sustained air campaign conducted between 10 and 18 October 2026.
The military recorded the successes through seven intelligence-led precision air strikes across the Joint Operations Area, involving Nigerian Army Aviation, the Nigerian Army Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (NARPAS) Regiment and the Air Component. The operations targeted terrorist concentrations, leadership structures and logistics networks to weaken the group’s operational capabilities and restrict its freedom of action.
The strikes were conducted around Gudumbali in Guzamala Local Government Area (LGA), Badu in Monguno LGA, Mairari in Guzamala LGA and Duste Uku in Gombi LGA of Adamawa State. Other targets included terrorist elements operating east of Badu and the alternate residence of Abu Saleem, the ISWAP Wali of South Lake Chad, in the Arina Woje area of Monguno LGA, Borno State.
A major breakthrough was recorded on 18 October 2026 when the Air Component carried out a precision strike on Abu Saleem’s alternate residence following intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities.
Subsequent human intelligence confirmed the neutralisation of Jindullah, a prominent ISWAP fighter reportedly serving as Abu Saleem’s chief security guard. The intelligence also confirmed the neutralisation of Abul Kissa, a member of the terrorist group’s Shura Council, alongside other prominent fighters within the targeted premises.
The strike destroyed the targeted structure and critical logistics assets, including nine boat engines and several motorcycles stored at the location. The operation also disrupted the terrorists’ concealment arrangements within the forested area, limiting their ability to use the location as a safe haven.
In another significant operation on 13 October, the Guardian air asset tracked 16 terrorists moving from the Mairari axis towards 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 LGA.
A subsequent precision strike on the gathering resulted in the assessed neutralisation of approximately 30 terrorists, although the extent of damage to the motorcycles could not be confirmed.
Other air strikes during the period targeted terrorist elements and facilities around Gudumbali, Badu, Mairari and Duste Uku. Collectively, the seven operations reportedly neutralised 103 terrorists and destroyed several logistics facilities, further disrupting ISWAP’s capacity to sustain its activities across the theatre.
The sustained operations highlight the importance of intelligence-driven air power and coordinated military action in weakening terrorist networks, disrupting command structures and destroying critical supply chains.
OPHK reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining operational momentum through continued collaboration among Nigerian Army Aviation, NARPAS, the Air Component and ground forces, with the objective of denying terrorists safe havens and restoring lasting peace and security across the North East.
