The Nigerian Army says it has dealt a major blow to Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) after precision air strikes destroyed the group’s logistics network along Lake Chad waterways and neutralised scores of fighters.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Maiduguri, the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, said the operation was carried out during the night of 21 and 22 April 2026.
According to the Media Information Officer, Air Assets of Operation HADIN KAI acted on credible intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance inputs that confirmed a concentration of more than 30 terrorist boats and fighters coordinating movement and resupply around Kaniram Island in Northern Borno State.
“Following target validation and positive identification in line with the Rules of Engagement, well-coordinated precision strikes were executed,” Lt. Col. Uba said.
“The strikes destroyed several boats and disrupted the terrorists’ logistics hub, immediately degrading their mobility and capacity to sustain operations.”
He revealed that real-time surveillance enabled follow-on strikes on fleeing and regrouping elements in nearby vegetation, leading to the neutralisation of over 30 terrorists. Survivors were observed escaping in disarray, indicating what the military described as a breakdown in cohesion and command structure.
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In a related operation at Sowolwolo in the Sambisa Forest axis, precision-guided strikes conducted with partner forces destroyed three terrorist gun trucks and neutralised additional fighters in the area.
Post-strike intelligence and battle damage assessment confirmed significant enemy losses, the statement noted. Evidence of mass burial activities by ISWAP elements was also reported in the Mallam Fatori axis.
Lt. Col. Uba said ground troops are currently exploiting the effects of the air strikes to dominate adjoining areas and prevent any reconstitution by fleeing fighters.
“The Military High Command commends troops for their impressive battle performance and urges them to sustain aggressive operations to dominate the battlespace.”
Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining relentless pressure on all terrorist elements until they are decisively defeated.