The Nigerian Air Force has killed nine Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters in an airstrike in Borno, including a key commander responsible for escorting high-value members of the group.

A statement on Sunday by NAF spokesman Ehimen Ejodame said the operation, conducted on Saturday in the Sambisa Forest, deployed a remotely piloted aircraft to conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

“The aircraft tracked a group of terrorists moving towards a suspected hideout. Following positive identification and confirmation of the target, NAF aircraft conducted a precision engagement on the location,” the air force said.

A battle damage assessment showed that nine terrorists were killed and several others wounded. Among those eliminated was Abu Khalid Al Muhajir, described as a prominent ISWAP commander in charge of providing special security escorts for senior members of the group.

NAF said his elimination was a major setback for ISWAP, given his reported knowledge of routes, terrain and tactical movements linking major terrorist enclaves within Sambisa Forest and surrounding areas.

Intelligence also indicated that some of the fighters affected by the strike were linked to elements suspected to have carried out the recent ambush of Nigerian troops along the Bita–Yamtage axis in Gwoza council area.

The airforce stated that the operation highlighted its intelligence-driven air campaign, combining ISR with strikes to detect and eliminate terrorists before they regroup.

“Beyond the immediate casualties, the operation is expected to disrupt ISWAP’s leadership protection arrangements, movement of high-value personnel and coordination of activities across its enclaves,” the statement added.

It reaffirmed NAF’s commitment to sustaining air operations in close coordination with ground troops to degrade terrorist capabilities and secure communities in the North-East.

(NAN)