The Nigerian military, operating under Operation HADIN KAI, has reportedly neutralised more than 30 terrorist elements linked to Islamic State West Africa Province during coordinated air interdiction missions in the Lake Chad area of Borno State.
The development was disclosed by Zagazola Makama, who cited intelligence sources in a post on X.
According to the report, the operation followed credible Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) inputs indicating heightened militant activity, particularly involving logistical movements through waterways near the Kaniram Island axis.
Surveillance assets confirmed the presence of multiple boats along the riverbank, accompanied by activity consistent with ISWAP fighters. Upon verification, air assets conducted targeted strikes in line with operational protocols.
“The first strike effectively disrupted the hub of terrorists and degraded their logistics capability by damaging several of the boats used for movement and supply across the waterways.
Further ISR monitoring revealed attempts by the terrorists to regroup within nearby vegetation. Consequently, follow-on strikes were conducted.
A second precision strike targeted a cluster of about eight terrorists, neutralising them, while additional elements were observed withdrawing into concealed positions.
“Subsequently, a third strike was executed on another group of approximately 15 terrorists who had taken cover under tree foliage, resulting in their elimination. Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) confirmed significant attrition, with surviving elements seen dispersing from adjacent hideouts,” Makama said.
