Counterterrorism: Military says air strikes kill 23 suspected ISWAP fighters in Borno

Counterterrorism: Military says air strikes kill 23 suspected ISWAP fighters in Borno

The Nigerian military says at least 23 suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) were killed in separate air strikes carried out in Borno State as troops intensified counterterrorism operations across Nigeria’s North-East.

The operations, conducted under Operation HADIN KAI, targeted suspected insurgent positions in Marte Local Government Area and along the strategic Bama–Maiduguri supply route, areas that have remained active theatres of insurgent activities in recent years.

According to military sources cited in counter-insurgency reports, the first operation was launched at about 5:35 a.m. on Tuesday after intelligence indicated the presence of suspected terrorists around KLA Balia in Marte LGA.

An Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform, codenamed Guardian, reportedly detected three concealed vehicles positioned at different locations before identifying five suspected insurgents taking cover beneath a tree.

Following confirmation of the targets, the platform carried out what was described as a precision strike on the location. The initial bombardment reportedly killed the five visible suspects and triggered secondary explosions believed to have resulted from hidden explosives or ammunition stored in the area.

Military sources later assessed that the explosions increased the number of suspected insurgents killed in the operation to 15, although the casualty figures have not been independently verified.

A planned follow-up strike targeting the concealed vehicles was reportedly aborted after a malfunction affected the aircraft’s laser-targeting system, preventing accurate engagement of the remaining targets.

Despite the technical setback, military officials described the mission as operationally successful, saying it disrupted the activities of the insurgents, destroyed part of their logistics network and forced surviving fighters to abandon the area.

Security sources added that surveillance of the location has continued, with additional operations expected to target fleeing suspects and destroy the remaining vehicles.

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In a separate mission, the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI reportedly killed eight additional suspected ISWAP fighters during a night combat operation conducted along the Bama–Maiduguri main supply route on July 22.

According to the operational report, helicopter crews observed muzzle flashes from an area previously identified by security agencies as a suspected insurgent training camp.

The crew reportedly fired probing rounds to verify hostile activity before coming under gunfire from the ground.

The aircraft subsequently responded with sustained aerial bombardment, which military sources said neutralised eight suspected insurgents, while others fled into surrounding bushes.

The latest operations form part of a broader military campaign aimed at disrupting ISWAP logistics, dismantling terrorist camps, preventing the movement of fighters and safeguarding major supply routes linking communities across Borno State.

In recent months, Operation HADIN KAI has intensified intelligence-led air and ground offensives against both ISWAP and Boko Haram, targeting hideouts, weapons storage facilities, logistics hubs and training camps in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

The military has also reported recovering weapons, motorcycles, communication equipment and other operational materials during several counterterrorism missions designed to weaken the operational capabilities of insurgent groups.

The renewed offensive comes amid continued efforts by the Armed Forces to deny terrorist groups freedom of movement and restore security across the North-East, where insurgency has displaced millions of people over the past decade.

Although security agencies have recorded several operational gains, attacks by ISWAP and Boko Haram continue to pose threats in parts of the region, with insurgents occasionally launching ambushes on troops, attacking civilian communities and targeting strategic infrastructure.

Security analysts have consistently emphasised that sustained intelligence gathering, close coordination between air and ground forces and improved surveillance remain essential to preventing insurgents from regrouping and re-establishing operational bases.

The Nigerian military has reiterated its commitment to sustaining pressure on terrorist groups until lasting peace and stability are restored across the North-East.

Counterterrorism: Military says air strikes kill 23 suspected ISWAP fighters in Borno