The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, has killed nine Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, fighters, including a senior commander in a precision airstrike in the Sambisa Forest area of Borno State.
The operation targeted terrorists following credible intelligence on their movements and activities. The commander, identified as Abu Khalid Al Muhajir, was reportedly responsible for providing security escorts for senior ISWAP members.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, in a statement issued in Abuja, disclosed that the operation followed intelligence indicating the movement of terrorists towards a suspected hideout in the Sambisa Forest.
According to him, the NAF deployed a Remotely Piloted Aircraft for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance over the area. “The aircraft tracked a group of terrorists moving towards a suspected hideout.
“Following positive identification and confirmation of the target, NAF aircraft conducted a precision engagement on the location,” he said.
Ejodame said a subsequent battle damage assessment showed that the compound was heavily hit, with nine terrorists confirmed killed and several others wounded.
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Among those killed was Al Muhajir, described by the NAF as a prominent ISWAP commander responsible for providing special security escorts for senior members of the group.
The NAF spokesperson said his death represented a significant setback for ISWAP, given his reported knowledge of routes, terrain and tactical movements connecting major terrorist enclaves within the Sambisa Forest and surrounding areas.
He added that intelligence indicated that some of the fighters affected by the strike were linked to elements suspected of carrying out the recent ambush on Nigerian troops along the Bita-Yamtage axis in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
Ejodame said the operation demonstrated the growing effectiveness of the NAF’s intelligence-driven air campaign, which combines persistent ISR with precision strikes to identify and neutralize terrorists before they can regroup.
“Beyond the immediate casualties, the operation is expected to disrupt ISWAP’s leadership protection arrangements, movement of high-value personnel and coordination of activities across its enclaves,” the statement said.
The NAF reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining intelligence-led and precision air operations in coordination with ground troops to degrade terrorist capabilities and protect communities in the North-East.
NAN
