OPERATION HADIN KAI Neutralises 103 ISWAP Terrorists in Precision Air Strikes

OPERATION HADIN KAI Neutralises 103 ISWAP Terrorists in Precision Air Strikes

The Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), has reported the neutralisation of 103 Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists and the destruction of several logistics hubs and storage facilities during intelligence-led precision air strikes conducted between October 10 and 18, 2026.

The operations involved coordinated efforts by Nigerian Army Aviation, the Nigerian Army Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (NARPAS) Regiment and Air Component assets, aimed at disrupting terrorist networks, degrading their operational capabilities and denying them freedom of action across the Joint Operations Area.

According to a statement issued on October 19 by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Captain Mohammed Goni, the air campaign comprised seven strikes targeting terrorist locations around Gudumbali in Guzamala Local Government Area (LGA), Badu in Monguno LGA, Mairari in Guzamala LGA, an area east of Badu, and Duste Uku in Gombi LGA of Adamawa State.

A major success was recorded on October 18 when the Air Component carried out a precision strike on the alternate residence of Abu Saleem, identified by the military as the ISWAP Wali of South Lake Chad, in the Arina Woje area of Monguno LGA, Borno State.

The statement said subsequent human intelligence confirmed the neutralisation of Jindullah, a prominent ISWAP fighter reportedly serving as Abu Saleem’s chief security guard, and Abul Kissa, a member of the group’s Shura Council, alongside other fighters within the targeted premises.

The strike reportedly destroyed the targeted structure and logistics assets, including nine boat engines and several motorcycles. The military said the operation also disrupted the group’s use of the forested location as a potential safe haven.

In another operation on October 13, a Guardian air asset tracked 16 terrorists from the Mairari axis to a gathering of more than 100 suspected terrorists accompanied by several motorcycles, approximately 23 kilometres east of Badu and 19 kilometres west of Monguno.

A subsequent precision strike on the gathering resulted in the assessed neutralisation of about 30 terrorists, while the extent of damage to the motorcycles could not be confirmed.

The other strikes targeted terrorist elements and facilities around Gudumbali, Badu, Mairari and Duste Uku. According to OPHK, the combined operations resulted in the reported neutralisation of 103 terrorists and the destruction of several logistics hubs and storage facilities.

The task force said the sustained operations demonstrate the impact of coordinated, intelligence-led air strikes in disrupting terrorist leadership structures, logistics networks and operational activities.

OPHK reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining operational pressure through continued coordination among Nigerian Army Aviation, NARPAS, the Air Component and ground forces, as part of efforts to deny terrorists safe havens and restore lasting peace and security across the North-East.

OPERATION HADIN KAI Neutralises 103 ISWAP Terrorists in Precision Air Strikes