By Ayomide Otitoju
The Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), has claimed that 103 Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists were killed in a series of air strikes across Borno and Adamawa states between October 10 and 18, 2026.
The military said the operations also destroyed several terrorist logistics hubs and storage facilities as part of efforts to dismantle insurgent networks and restrict their movements.
In a statement issued in Maiduguri on Monday, the Acting Military Information Officer of OPHK, Captain Mohammed Goni, said the operations involved Nigerian Army Aviation, the Nigerian Army Remotely Piloted Aircraft (NARPAS) Regiment and Air Component assets.
According to the statement, the seven strikes targeted terrorist locations around Gudumbali and Mairari in Guzamala Local Government Area (LGA), Badu in Monguno LGA, an area east of Badu, and Duste Uku in Gombi LGA of Adamawa State.
The operations also targeted the alternate residence of Abu Saleem, identified by the military as ISWAP’s Wali of South Lake Chad, in Arina Woje, Monguno LGA, Borno State.
The military said a major operation was conducted on October 18 following intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities that identified Abu Saleem’s alternate residence as a target.
It said subsequent human intelligence confirmed the deaths of Jindullah, described as a prominent ISWAP fighter and Abu Saleem’s chief security guard, and Abul Kissa, a member of the group’s Shura Council, alongside other fighters.
The strike reportedly destroyed the targeted structure and logistics assets, including nine boat engines and several motorcycles stored at the premises.
According to the statement, the operation disrupted the group’s concealment arrangements in the forested area and weakened its ability to use the location as a safe haven.
The military also reported a separate operation on October 13, when a Guardian air asset tracked 16 terrorists from the Mairari axis to a gathering of more than 100 fighters accompanied by several motorcycles.
The gathering was reportedly located about 23 kilometres east of Badu and 19 kilometres west of Monguno.
A subsequent precision strike resulted in the assessed neutralisation of approximately 30 terrorists, the military said, adding that the extent of damage to the motorcycles remained unconfirmed.
Other strikes targeted suspected terrorist elements and facilities around Gudumbali, Badu, Mairari and Duste Uku.
The military said the seven operations collectively resulted in the reported deaths of 103 terrorists and the destruction of logistics hubs and storage facilities, which it said had disrupted ISWAP’s operational capabilities.
It reaffirmed its commitment to sustained, coordinated air operations and cooperation between aviation units and ground forces to deny terrorists safe havens and improve security across the North-East.
