Troops Eliminate Over 50 Terrorists, Kill Top ISWAP Commander in Borno Operations

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have recorded a significant operational success in the North-East after neutralising more than 50 terrorists, including a senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), during a series of coordinated air and ground operations across Borno State.

Details contained in an operational report released on Wednesday indicated that the breakthrough followed precision airstrikes carried out around the Kirta and Arina Ciki areas, where several high-profile terrorist figures were reportedly eliminated.

Among those killed was Khalifa Umar, identified by military authorities as a member of the ISWAP Shura Council and one of the group’s key operational leaders.

According to the report, the sustained aerial bombardment has significantly disrupted terrorist activities and forced insurgents to abandon some of their island enclaves within the Lake Chad region in search of alternative escape routes on the mainland.

The military further disclosed that troops arrested three suspected ISWAP logistics suppliers and informants during separate operations in Maiduguri and surrounding communities.

Also apprehended was a deserter soldier alleged to have absconded with his service weapon before becoming involved in criminal activities.

Items recovered from the suspects included a rifle with magazines, a vehicle, 30 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), communication materials and other items believed to have supported terrorist operations.

In addition to the arrests, troops conducted aggressive fighting patrols within the Kukawa axis, where they engaged fleeing terrorist scouts and recovered ammunition.

Military authorities noted that recent operations have increasingly relied on intelligence-led strategies combining surveillance, reconnaissance capabilities and precision airstrikes to target terrorist leadership structures, logistics networks and mobility corridors.

The report stated that the evolving operational approach has placed insurgents under immense pressure, forcing them to disperse into smaller groups and reducing their ability to coordinate large-scale attacks.

The North-East remains the epicentre of Nigeria’s long-running counter-insurgency campaign, with security forces maintaining pressure on ISWAP and remnants of the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) faction operating within the Lake Chad Basin and Sambisa Forest corridors.

Military authorities reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining ongoing operations until terrorist capabilities are significantly degraded and normalcy fully restored across the region.