The Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), has sustained intelligence-led precision air strikes against Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists, neutralising 103 terrorists and destroying several logistics hubs and storage facilities.
The Successes were recorded between between October 10 and 18, 2026 through the coordinated employment of Nigerian Army Aviation, the Nigerian Army Remotely Piloted Aircraft (NARPAS) Regiment and Air Component assets.
The sustained air campaign comprised seven strikes against terrorist targets around Gudumbali in Guzamala Local Government Area (LGA) on October 10, Badu in Monguno LGA on October 11, Mairari in Guzamala LGA and an area east of Badu on October 13, Duste Uku in Gombi LGA of Adamawa State on October 16, and the alternate residence of Abu Saleem, the ISWAP Wali of South Lake Chad, in the Arina Woje area of Monguno LGA, Borno State, on October 18, 2026.
A significant success was recorded on October 18 when the Air Component conducted a precision strike against Abu Saleem’s alternate residence following intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities.
Subsequent human intelligence (HUMINT) confirmed the neutralisation of Jindullah, a prominent ISWAP fighter reportedly serving as Abu Saleem’s chief security guard. The intelligence also confirmed the neutralisation of Abul Kissa, a member of the group’s Shura Council, alongside other prominent fighters within the targeted premises.
The strike completely destroyed the targeted structure and key logistics assets, including nine boat engines and several motorcycles stored within the premises. It also disrupted terrorist concealment arrangements within the forested area.
Earlier, on October 13, the Guardian air asset tracked a group of 16 terrorists from the Mairari axis to a gathering of more than 100 terrorists accompanied by several motorcycles, approximately 23 kilometres east of Badu and 19 kilometres west of Monguno LGA. A subsequent precision strike on the gathering resulted in the assessed neutralisation of approximately 30 terrorists.
The other strikes during the period targeted terrorist elements and facilities around Gudumbali, Badu, Mairari and Duste Uku. Collectively, the seven strikes resulted in the reported neutralisation of 103 terrorists and the destruction of several logistics hubs and storage facilities.
The military said the sustained successes underscore the effectiveness of coordinated, intelligence-led air operations in degrading terrorist capabilities, disrupting command structures and dismantling critical logistics networks.
