Air strikes kills 15 ISWAP fighters in Borno State

The Nigerian Air Force has intensified its offensive against insurgents in the North-East, with fresh air strikes reportedly killing at least 15 fighters linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province in Borno State.

The operation, carried out by the air component of Operation Hadin Kai, targeted the Kangarwa axis, an area long identified as a stronghold for insurgent activity in the Lake Chad region.

According to security reports, the strikes were based on credible intelligence that identified key gathering points and infrastructure used by the group. The operation was described as precise, with assessments indicating significant casualties among the fighters, while several others were injured.

Sources familiar with the mission said the bombardment also damaged structures linked to senior figures within the group, further disrupting their operational base.

Targeting leadership and infrastructure

Among the locations hit was a building reportedly associated with a senior commander identified as Malam Nuhu, believed to be a key figure within ISWAP’s local hierarchy.

Although he was said to have vacated the premises before the strike, the attack is believed to have weakened the group’s command structure in the area.

Military sources noted that the strikes were carefully planned to maximise impact on both personnel and infrastructure, reflecting ongoing improvements in intelligence gathering and targeting capabilities.

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The Kangarwa axis has remained a critical zone in the fight against insurgency, serving as a hub for coordination and movement of fighters across parts of Borno.

Sustained pressure in the North-East

The latest operation forms part of a broader campaign by the Nigerian military under Operation Hadin Kai to dismantle insurgent networks across the region.

Air operations have increasingly focused on disrupting leadership structures, supply routes, and hideouts to weaken the group’s ability to regroup and launch attacks.

Further assessments are ongoing, including reports from related operations in nearby areas such as Dogon Chukun, as security forces continue to evaluate the full impact of the strikes.

While the military has recorded gains through sustained offensives, the persistence of insurgent activity underscores the complexity of the conflict, with authorities maintaining pressure to limit the group’s operational capacity and restore stability to affected communities.