Nigerian soldiers take down 40 ISWAP fighters in Borno

The Air Component of the Joint Task Force, North East, Operation HADIN KAI, has killed over 40 Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters in a precise air strike in Borno.

This operation took place on 10 October and focused on a terrorist camp at Badu Village, south of Gudumbali in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno.

Mohammed Goni, the spokesman for Operation HADIN KAI, shared this information in a statement on Monday in Maiduguri.

Mr Goni said the operation came after reliable intelligence showed that ISWAP fighters were gathering to launch attacks on troops in Sector 3’s area of responsibility.

He mentioned that the air component quickly deployed aerial surveillance to keep an eye on terrorist movements around suspected hideouts and logistics points before carrying out the air strike on a building where the fighters were located.

According to him, early intelligence and battle damage assessment showed that more than 40 terrorists, including a key ISWAP commander, were killed during this operation.

He added that two vehicles and around 20 motorcycles used by the terrorists for movement, logistics, and attacks were also destroyed.

Mr Goni noted that further intelligence indicated the fighters were part of ISWAP’s Murabitun unit, a special mobile group responsible for patrols, coordinating attacks, and sustaining terrorism in the area.

He explained that destroying the camp and its operational resources would greatly weaken the group’s ability to operate and disrupt their plans to attack military positions and nearby communities.

The spokesman said that further assessments are being carried out to fully understand the extent of the damage caused to the terrorists.

He described the operation as proof that intelligence-led and technology-based air operations are effective in breaking down terrorist networks and limiting their actions.

Mr Goni reassured the Joint Task Force's commitment to ongoing air and ground operations to eliminate terrorist threats, protect vulnerable communities, and restore peace and stability across the North-east.