Nigeria’s military says fresh intelligence-led air strikes have killed 103 Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters and destroyed several terrorist logistics hubs and storage facilities in Adamawa and Borno states.
The Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, says the strikes were conducted between October 10 and 18, 2026, as part of sustained efforts to dismantle terrorist networks, disrupt their supply chains and deny insurgents safe havens across the region.
In a statement issued in Maiduguri on Monday, the Acting Military Information Officer, Captain Mohammed Goni, says the operations involved Nigerian Army Aviation, the Nigerian Army Remotely Piloted Aircraft Regiment and the Air Component.
The military conducted seven strikes targeting terrorist positions around Gudumbali in Guzamala Local Government Area, Badu in Monguno, Mairari in Guzamala and Duste Uku in Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State. Another strike targeted an alternative residence linked to Abu Saleem, identified by the military as ISWAP’s Wali of South Lake Chad, in the Arina Woje area of Monguno, Borno State.
One of the major operations took place on October 18, when an intelligence-guided strike hit Abu Saleem’s alternative residence following surveillance activities. The military says subsequent human intelligence reports confirmed the deaths of Jindullah, identified as the insurgent leader’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 equipment, including nine boat engines and several motorcycles stored at the location. According to the military, the operation disrupted the group’s use of the forested area as a concealment point and potential safe haven.
In a separate operation on October 13, a military surveillance asset tracked 16 terrorists from the Mairari axis to a gathering of more than 100 fighters accompanied by several motorcycles. The gathering was located approximately 23 kilometres east of Badu and 19 kilometres west of Monguno.
A subsequent precision strike on the group resulted in an estimated 30 terrorists being killed, according to the military. However, the extent of damage to the motorcycles could not be immediately established.
The remaining strikes targeted terrorist elements and facilities around Gudumbali, Badu, Mairari and Duste Uku, contributing to the overall reported death toll of 103 fighters and the destruction of several logistics and storage facilities.
Operation Hadin Kai says the coordinated campaign demonstrates the impact of intelligence-driven air operations in weakening terrorist formations, disrupting leadership structures and degrading the networks that sustain insurgent activities.
The military adds that it will continue coordinating air and ground operations to maintain pressure on terrorist groups, deny them freedom of movement and support efforts to restore lasting peace and security across Nigeria’s North-East.
