Military says airstrikes kill 103 ISWAP fighters in Borno, Adamawa
The Nigerian military says it has killed 103 suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters in a series of intelligence-led airstrikes across Borno and Adamawa states between 10 and 18 October 2026.
The Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, said seven precision strikes also destroyed terrorist logistics hubs, weapons storage facilities and other operational assets.
In a statement issued on Monday in Maiduguri, the acting military information officer, Captain Mohammed Goni, said the operations involved Nigerian Army Aviation, the Nigerian Army Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems Regiment and the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai.
According to Goni, the strikes targeted suspected terrorist positions in Gudumbali, Badu, Mairari and Monguno in Borno State, as well as Duste Uku in Gombi local government area of Adamawa State.
He said a major operation on 18 October targeted an alternative residence belonging to Abu Saleem, described as ISWAP’s leader in the South Lake Chad area.
The military said intelligence gathered after the strike indicated that Jindullah, identified as Abu Saleem’s chief security guard, and Abul Kissa, a member of the group’s Shura Council, were among those killed.
“The strike completely destroyed the targeted structure and key logistics assets, including nine boat engines and several motorcycles stored within the premises,” the statement said.
The military added that the operation disrupted terrorist concealment arrangements within the surrounding forest, weakening the group’s ability to use the location as a safe haven.
In another operation on 13 October, military surveillance reportedly tracked 16 suspected terrorists moving from Mairari towards a gathering of more than 100 fighters near Badu.
A subsequent airstrike reportedly killed about 30 fighters, although the military said the extent of damage to motorcycles at the location remained unconfirmed.
Goni said the coordinated operations were intended to weaken ISWAP’s command structures, disrupt supply networks and restrict the movement of its fighters across the north-east.
He reaffirmed the military’s commitment to sustaining pressure on terrorist groups through coordinated air and ground operations.
The military’s reported casualty figures and the identities of those killed could not be independently verified.