Military Destroys ISWAP Boats, Kills Over 30 Fighters in Borno Air Strikes

Military Destroys ISWAP Boats, Kills Over 30 Fighters in Borno Air Strikes

More than 30 fighters linked to the ISWAP terrorists group have been killed in coordinated Lake Chad air strikes carried out by Nigerian troops in Borno State, in what security sources describe as a major blow to insurgent logistics and mobility.

According to counter-insurgency tracker Zagazola Makama, the operation was launched after credible Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) reports revealed increased militant activity around the Kaniram Island axis of Lake Chad.

The ISR platform reportedly detected about 31 boats lined along a riverbank, with movement patterns consistent with logistics operations of the Islamic State West Africa Province. The concentration suggested preparations for coordinated attacks or troop movements across waterways in the Lake Chad Basin.

Following confirmation, the Nigerian Air Force air component executed precision strikes targeting the location. The initial bombardment destroyed multiple boats and disrupted what officials described as a key supply route used by ISWAP fighters.

Subsequent aerial surveillance showed insurgents attempting to regroup under dense vegetation. This prompted additional waves of air strikes. A second strike neutralised about eight militants, while a third wave targeted roughly 15 fighters hiding under trees, killing them. Remaining fighters were seen fleeing into surrounding areas.

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In a separate but related operation at Sowolwolo, military aircraft struck another location, reportedly eliminating at least nine additional fighters and further weakening ISWAP’s presence in the area.

Battle damage assessments indicated heavy losses on the insurgents’ side, with destroyed logistics assets, disrupted coordination, and scattered survivors struggling to regroup.

Military authorities said the precision air strikes underscore a broader counterterrorism strategy focused on high-value targeting while minimising civilian casualties. The use of ISR technology has significantly improved target accuracy and operational efficiency in difficult terrains like the Lake Chad region.

Security analysts note that waterways around Lake Chad have long served as critical transit routes for ISWAP, enabling the movement of fighters, weapons, and supplies across Nigeria’s borders with neighbouring countries. The destruction of boats is therefore seen as a strategic setback for the group.

The Nigerian military has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining aerial surveillance, intelligence gathering, and coordinated ground offensives to further weaken insurgent networks and restore stability across the North-East.

Despite the gains, authorities warn that remnants of the group may attempt retaliatory attacks, urging communities to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.

Military Destroys ISWAP Boats, Kills Over 30 Fighters in Borno Air Strikes