Key points
- Nigerian Air Force says nine ISWAP fighters were killed in a precision strike in Sambisa Forest.
- A senior commander, Abu Khalid Al Muhajir, was among those killed.
- NAF says the operation followed intelligence on terrorist movements in the area.
- Some of those targeted were reportedly linked to a recent ambush on Nigerian troops in Borno.
Main story
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it has killed nine Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters, including a senior commander, in a precision air strike in Borno State.
NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja.
He said the operation was conducted on Saturday in the Sambisa Forest area following intelligence on the movement and activities of ISWAP fighters.
According to Ejodame, the operation began with the deployment of a Remotely Piloted Aircraft for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance over the area.
He said the aircraft tracked a group of terrorists moving towards a suspected hideout before the target was positively identified and engaged by NAF aircraft.
A subsequent battle damage assessment confirmed nine terrorists killed and several others wounded, according to the statement.
Among those killed was Abu Khalid Al Muhajir, whom NAF identified as an ISWAP commander responsible for providing special security escorts for senior members of the group.
Ejodame said the commander’s death could affect ISWAP’s ability to protect and move high-value members because of his reported knowledge of routes, terrain and tactical movements connecting terrorist enclaves in Sambisa Forest and surrounding areas.
NAF said intelligence also indicated that some of the fighters affected by the strike were linked to elements suspected of carrying out a recent ambush on Nigerian troops along the Bita-Yamtage axis in Gwoza Local Government Area.
The Air Force said the operation demonstrated the growing use of intelligence-led surveillance and precision strikes to identify terrorist positions before they can regroup.
It added that the strike was expected to disrupt ISWAP’s leadership protection arrangements, movement of senior operatives and coordination across its enclaves.
The issues
The operation comes as Nigerian security forces continue to target terrorist networks in the North East through coordinated air and ground operations. The effectiveness of such campaigns depends heavily on accurate intelligence, surveillance and the ability to strike mobile terrorist formations before they relocate or reorganise.
What’s being said
“Following positive identification and confirmation of the target, NAF aircraft conducted a precision engagement on the location.” – Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information:
“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.” – Nigerian Air Force:
What’s next
The NAF said it would sustain intelligence-led air operations in coordination with ground forces as part of efforts to degrade terrorist capabilities and improve security across the North East.
Bottom line
The killing of nine ISWAP fighters and a commander responsible for protecting senior operatives represents another targeted blow against the group’s operations in the Sambisa Forest, according to the Nigerian Air Force.
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