The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), under the air component of Operation Hadin Kai, has carried out successful precision airstrikes on Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) positions in Borno State, neutralizing scores of terrorists and destroying key infrastructure.
According to security sources and counter-insurgency reports, the coordinated air interdiction missions targeted ISWAP enclaves in the Kangarwa and Ali Jilamari areas of the Northern Tumbuns — a known terrorist stronghold — on April 1, 2026. The operations followed credible intelligence and confirmatory Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions conducted days earlier.
In the first strike, executed around 12:05 p.m. in Kangarwa, airborne platforms identified terrorists operating around and inside structures. Precision munitions were delivered in successive attack passes, completely destroying targeted buildings and neutralising multiple fighters. Battle damage assessment confirmed significant casualties, with at least 15 ISWAP fighters killed and several others severely injured.
The strikes also hit a structure linked to a senior commander, identified as Malam Nuhu, believed to be the Qaid (leader) of Kangarwa. The residence was struck shortly after he left the premises, though he reportedly escaped. Other occupants were eliminated.
A separate mission later that afternoon, around 4:45 p.m., targeted a newly established ISWAP hideout and logistics hub in Ali Jilamari. The airstrikes destroyed structures and logistics facilities, eliminating additional terrorists in the process.
These operations form part of the military’s sustained efforts to degrade ISWAP’s operational capabilities, disrupt their logistics networks, and deny them freedom of movement in the Lake Chad Basin region. The Nigerian military continues to refine its targeting processes to minimise risks while maintaining relentless pressure on terrorist elements. Further battle damage assessments, including from related operations in areas like Dogon Chukun, are ongoing.
The NAF has been intensifying air support for ground troops in the Northeast, contributing to several recent successes against ISWAP and other insurgent groups. No civilian casualties have been reported in these specific strikes, consistent with the military’s emphasis on precision and adherence to rules of engagement.
This latest action underscores the ongoing commitment of the Nigerian Armed Forces to restore peace and security in Borno State and the broader region.
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