The military says it has killed 103 Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in seven intelligence-led air strikes across the North-East this month.
The Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), says the operations also destroy several terrorist logistics hubs and storage facilities.
In a statement issued in Maiduguri, the Acting Military Information Officer, Captain Mohammed Goni, says the strikes involve Nigerian Army Aviation, the Nigerian Army Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (NARPAS) Regiment and the Air Component.
The operations target terrorist positions around Gudumbali in Guzamala Local Government Area (LGA), Badu and Mairari, as well as an area east of Badu in Borno State. Another strike targets Duste Uku in Gombi LGA, Adamawa State.
The military says the strikes disrupt terrorist concentrations, leadership structures and logistics networks across the operational theatre.
One of the major operations targets the alternative residence of Abu Saleem, identified by the military as the ISWAP Wali of South Lake Chad, in the Arina Woje area of Monguno LGA, Borno State.
According to the statement, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities lead to the precision strike on the facility.
“Subsequent human intelligence (HUMINT) confirmed the neutralisation of Jindullah, a prominent ISWAP fighter reportedly serving as Abu Saleem’s chief security guard,” the military says.
The statement adds that the operation also kills Abul Kissa, a member of the group’s Shura Council, alongside other prominent fighters at the location.
The strike destroys the targeted structure and logistics assets, including nine boat engines and several motorcycles stored at the premises.
The military says the operation also disrupts the group’s concealment arrangements in the forested area, reducing its ability to use the location as a safe haven.
Strike targets gathering of more than 100 terrorists
In another operation, the military says a Guardian air asset tracks 16 terrorists from the Mairari axis to a gathering of more than 100 fighters accompanied by several motorcycles.
The gathering is located about 23 kilometres east of Badu and 19 kilometres west of Monguno.
A subsequent precision strike results in the assessed killing of approximately 30 terrorists, while the extent of damage to the motorcycles remains unconfirmed.
The other operations target terrorist fighters and facilities around Gudumbali, Badu, Mairari and Duste Uku.
The military says the seven strikes collectively kill 103 terrorists and destroy several logistics hubs and storage facilities.
It adds that coordination among Nigerian Army Aviation, NARPAS, the Air Component and ground forces remains central to its efforts to weaken terrorist networks and deny them safe havens.
“Through continued synergy among Nigerian Army Aviation, NARPARS, the Air Component and ground forces, OPHK remains resolute in maintaining operational momentum, denying terrorists safe havens and advancing efforts to restore lasting peace and security across the North East,” the statement says.
