Military air strikes destroy ISWAP fighters’ vehicles, eliminate nine in Borno

Military air operations in northern Borno state have destroyed vehicles belonging to Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters and eliminated at least nine suspected terrorists in coordinated strikes across the Lake Chad axis.

The operations, carried out under Operation Hadin Kai, targeted areas around Cross Kauwa and Ali Sherifti, where intelligence reports indicated that insurgents were regrouping and preparing for possible attacks on nearby communities.

Security sources said the mission was launched after intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms detected unusual movements and suspected terrorist activities at a concealed hideout in the area.

Aerial surveillance reportedly revealed several vehicles hidden under trees, alongside armed fighters moving between positions, suggesting the location was being used as a logistics and planning base.

Following confirmation of hostile activity, military aircraft conducted precision strikes on identified targets, destroying multiple vehicles and forcing insurgents to flee in different directions.

Further monitoring led to additional strikes in the Ali Sherifti axis, where suspected terrorists were tracked to a concealed position under trees and subsequently neutralised.

Military sources confirmed that at least nine ISWAP fighters were killed in the combined air raids, while several of their operational vehicles were completely destroyed.

The sources added that ongoing surveillance continues to show attempts by surviving insurgents to regroup, but sustained air operations have disrupted their movements and weakened their operational capability.

Authorities described the strikes as part of ongoing intelligence-led efforts to degrade terrorist networks and restrict their freedom of movement within the Lake Chad basin.