A renewed wave of coordinated air and ground operations by the Nigerian military has dealt a severe blow to Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram terrorists in the Sambisa Forest and Mandara Mountains, forcing the insurgents into disarray and compelling them to hastily bury dozens of their dead fighters.
In response to the heinous attack by ISWAP terrorists on Darajamal village in Borno State’s Bama Local Government Area on Friday night, which killed 60 civilians, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, supported by ground troops, launched joint operations, prompting an immediate military counter-offensive.
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According to Security Analyst Zagazola Makama, terrorists launched an assault on Darajamal, firing indiscriminately and leaving behind scenes of horror before retreating towards the forest. However, their escape was short-lived as the military activated its aerial surveillance and strike assets.
A top security source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft tracked the insurgents as they attempted to withdraw northwards from the community in several groups.
“The ISR platforms picked up multiple terrorist movements some in a single file, others splintering north of the camp,” the source said. “The Air Component swiftly engaged them with precision strikes. The hits were devastating; more than 30 terrorists were neutralised instantly, their bodies shattered by successive bombardments.”
The source added that ground troops, who had been mobilised from nearby Forward Operating Bases, moved in shortly after the strikes to secure Darajamal and reassure displaced residents.
In a follow-up operation, the Nigerian Army deployed armed drones to Mandara Mountain, targeting terrorists’ hideouts and movement corridors. According to reports, the drones executed multiple precision strikes on at least four identified locations.
“These strikes were precise and overwhelming,” the source said. “Several commanders and their fighters were neutralised. Survivors were seen scampering into bushes, abandoning both weapons and bodies of their comrades.”
Independent intelligence gathered prevealed that the Ali Ngulde faction of Boko Haram, which had recently suffered sustained pressure in the Sambisa axis, conducted emergency burials for their dead fighters. At least 47 corpses were confirmed buried in different locations.
“Thirty bodies were buried in the Sambisa Forest while another 17 were interred in shallow graves within Mandara Mountain,” the source disclosed. “Dozens more were abandoned in the bush because the terrorists lacked the manpower to carry them all.”
The heavy casualties, marks one of the most punishing setbacks for the insurgents in recent months, pointing to the growing effectiveness of Nigeria’s integrated air and ground campaign.
Meanwhile, calm has returned to Darajamal, with troops conducting clearance patrols across surrounding villages to forestall reprisals and encourage displaced residents to return.
The Nigerian military has yet to release an official statement on the casualty figures. However, security sources insist that the terrorists’ losses were “massive and demoralising,” weakening their operational capacity in both Sambisa and Mandara axes.
