ABUJA — The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has killed nine Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters, including a key commander responsible for facilitating the movement and protection of senior members of the terrorist group, in a precision airstrike in Borno State.
The operation, conducted on Saturday, August 8, 2026, followed credible intelligence on the activities and movement of suspected terrorists within the Sambisa Forest area.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying the operation was carried out after persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) identified a group of terrorists moving towards a suspected hideout.
He said a Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) was deployed to track the terrorists before a precision engagement was conducted after the targets were positively identified and confirmed.
“Subsequent battle damage assessment indicated significant effects on the targeted compound, with several terrorists neutralised,” Ejodame said.
He added that further intelligence received after the strike confirmed that nine ISWAP fighters were killed, while several others sustained injuries.
Among those reportedly killed was Abu Khalid Al Muhajir, described as a prominent ISWAP commander responsible for providing special security escorts for senior members of the terrorist organisation.
According to the NAF, his elimination represents a significant operational setback for ISWAP because of his reported knowledge of routes, terrain and tactical movements linking major terrorist enclaves within the Sambisa Forest and surrounding areas.
“His elimination represents a significant operational setback for ISWAP, particularly given his reported knowledge of routes, terrain and tactical movements connecting major terrorist enclaves within the Sambisa Forest and surrounding areas,” the statement said.
The Air Force said intelligence also indicated that some of the terrorists affected by the strike were linked to elements suspected of participating in the recent ambush of Nigerian troops along the Bita-Yamtage axis in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
The NAF said the operation demonstrated the growing effectiveness of intelligence-driven air operations, particularly the integration of persistent ISR and precision strike capabilities in detecting, tracking and neutralising terrorist elements.
It added that the strike was expected to disrupt ISWAP’s leadership protection arrangements, movement of high-value personnel and coordination of activities across its various enclaves.
“The Nigerian Air Force will continue to sustain intelligence-led and precision air operations in close coordination with surface forces, with the objective of degrading terrorist capabilities, disrupting their freedom of movement and creating a more secure environment for affected communities across the North East,” Ejodame said.
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