Troops Neutralise 16 ISWAP Fighters in Lake Chad Basin Strikes
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have neutralised 16 suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters during coordinated air and artillery strikes on three suspected terrorist locations in the Tunbunma area of the South Lake Chad region.
The operation was conducted between 1:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. on October 26, 2026, following intelligence reports indicating the presence of key terrorist leaders and fighters in the area.
According to the military, air and ground weapon systems were deployed to engage the identified locations.
A Battle Damage Assessment indicated that 16 ISWAP fighters were neutralised across the three targeted locations.
Those reportedly killed included Abu Zubiru, described as an Arab national, and two associates identified as Baana Nglewa and Jindullah Sadiq, alongside other fighters.
The military also reported that Abu Saleem, identified as the Wali of Tunbunma, sustained severe injuries, alongside seven others.
Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations against terrorist groups in the North-East, with the aim of restoring peace and normalcy to the region.
The task force also urged members of the public to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
Troops Neutralise 16 ISWAP Fighters in Lake Chad Basin Strikes