Nine Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters, including a key commander in charge of escorting high-value group members, were killed in an airstrike in Borno by the Nigerian Air Force, according to a statement released on Sunday by NAF spokesman Ehimen Ejodame. The operation took place on Saturday in the Sambisa Forest and used a remotely piloted aircraft for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
Nine terrorists were killed, and several others were injured, according to a battle damage assessment. Among those killed was Abu Khalid Al Muhajir, a well-known ISWAP commander who was in charge of providing special security escorts for senior members of the group. According to the NAF, his elimination was a significant setback for ISWAP because of his alleged knowledge of the routes, terrain, and tactical movements connecting major terrorist enclaves within Sambisa Forest and surrounding areas. Additionally, intelligence suggested that some of the fighters were affected by the recent ambush of Nigerian troops along the Bita–Yamtage axis in the Gwoza council area.
According to the air force, the operation demonstrated its intelligence-driven air campaign, which combines strikes and ISR to find and destroy terrorists before they reorganize. “Beyond the immediate casualties, the operation is expected to disrupt ISWAP’s leadership protection arrangements, movement of high-value personnel and coordination of activities across its enclaves,” the statement added.
To weaken terrorist capabilities and protect populations in the Northeast, it reiterated NAF's dedication to maintaining air operations in close collaboration with ground forces.