The Nigerian military has said sustained intelligence-led air operations by Operation Hadin Kai, OPHK, neutralised 103 Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, terrorists and destroyed several logistics facilities across the North-East between October 10 and 18.
The operations involved Nigerian Army Aviation, the Nigerian Army Remotely Piloted Aircraft Regiment, NARPARS, and the Air Component, which conducted seven precision strikes against terrorist concentrations, hideouts and logistics facilities in Borno and Adamawa states.
Security sources said the strikes targeted locations around Gudumbali in Guzamala Local Government Area, Badu in Monguno LGA, Mairari, an area east of Badu, Duste Uku in Gombi LGA of Adamawa State, and the alternate residence of Abu Saleem, ISWAP’s Wali of South Lake Chad, in Arina Woje area of Monguno LGA.
A major operation was recorded on October 18 when an Air Component strike targeted Abu Saleem’s alternate residence following intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities.
Subsequent human intelligence reportedly confirmed the neutralisation of Jindullah, a prominent ISWAP fighter said to have served as Abu Saleem’s chief security guard, and Abul Kissa, a member of the group’s Shura Council, alongside other prominent fighters.
The military said the targeted structure was completely destroyed, along with logistics assets including nine boat engines and several motorcycles stored at the premises, a development expected to disrupt the group’s use of the location as a hideout and logistics point.
Earlier, on October 13, a Guardian air asset reportedly tracked a group of 16 terrorists from the Mairari axis to a gathering of more than 100 fighters with several motorcycles about 23 kilometres east of Badu and 19 kilometres west of Monguno, with a subsequent precision strike assessed to have killed about 30 terrorists.
According to the military, the seven strikes collectively resulted in the neutralisation of 103 terrorists and destruction of several logistics hubs, aimed at disrupting ISWAP leadership structures, degrading mobility and denying safe havens, highlighting growing coordination between Army Aviation, NARPARS, the Air Component and ground forces in the theatre.
Credit : Zagazola Makama
