Operation Hadin Kai reports 103 ISWAP fighters neutralised in seven air strikes across Borno and Adamawa between October 10 and 18, 2026.
The Nigerian military says it has neutralised 103 Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters in seven precision air strikes conducted across parts of the North-East between October 10 and 18.
The operations, carried out under Operation Hadin Kai, also destroyed several terrorist logistics hubs and storage facilities in Borno and Adamawa states, according to the military.
Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer at the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force (North-East), disclosed this in a statement issued in Maiduguri.
He said the operations involved coordinated deployments of Nigerian Army Aviation, the Nigerian Army Remotely Piloted Aircraft Regiment and Air Component assets.
The strikes targeted terrorist positions and facilities around Gudumbali, Badu, Mairari and Duste Uku, as well as other locations in the operational theatre.
Goni described the October 18 operation against the alternate residence of Abu Saleem, identified by the military as the ISWAP Wali of South Lake Chad, in the Arina Woje area of Monguno Local Government Area, Borno State, as a significant success.
He said the strike followed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities targeting the location.
According to the military spokesperson, subsequent human intelligence confirmed the deaths of Jindullah, reportedly Abu Saleem’s chief security guard, and Abul Kissa, a member of ISWAP’s Shura Council, alongside other fighters.
The strike also destroyed the targeted structure and logistics assets, including nine boat engines and several motorcycles.
The military said the operation was intended to weaken the group’s leadership and logistics networks and prevent the location from serving as a safe haven.
Goni said another significant operation took place on October 13, when an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance asset tracked 16 fighters from the Mairari axis to a gathering of more than 100 terrorists accompanied by several motorcycles.
He said the gathering was located approximately 23 kilometres east of Badu and 19 kilometres west of Monguno.
A subsequent precision air strike on the gathering resulted in the assessed neutralisation of about 30 fighters, according to the military. However, the extent of damage to the motorcycles could not be confirmed.
Other operations during the eight-day period targeted terrorist elements and facilities around Gudumbali on October 10, Badu on October 11, Mairari and an area east of Badu on October 13, and Duste Uku in Adamawa State on October 16.
The military said the seven strikes collectively disrupted terrorist concentrations, command structures and logistics networks across the North-East.
Goni reaffirmed Operation Hadin Kai’s commitment to intelligence-led operations and coordination among air and ground forces to deny insurgents safe havens and improve security in the region.
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