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

This was contained in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.

The operation, conducted on Saturday in the Sambisa Forest area, followed credible intelligence on terrorist movement and activities.

According to Ejodame, the air force deployed a Remotely Piloted Aircraft, RPA, to conduct Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, ISR, on the area.

“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,” Ejodame said.

A subsequent battle damage assessment showed that the compound was heavily hit, with nine terrorists confirmed killed and several others wounded.

Among those neutralised was Abu Khalid Al Muhajir, described as a prominent ISWAP commander in charge of providing special security escorts for senior members of the group.

Ejodame 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 Local Government Area of Borno State.

He also said that the operation highlighted the growing effectiveness of air force intelligence-driven air campaigns, combining persistent ISR with precision strikes to detect and neutralise 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.

He reaffirmed NAF commitment to sustaining intelligence-led and precision air operations in close coordination with ground troops to degrade terrorist capabilities and secure communities in the North East.

By David Torough, Abuja

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have successfully contained an attack by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Gajiram, Nganzai Local Government Area, Borno State.

At about 12:20 a.

m. on 10 August 2026, a large number of terrorists launched an assault in an attempt to overrun the troops’ position. The gallant troops responded with determined and effective fire, forcing the attackers to withdraw after sustaining heavy casualties. During the engagement, troops neutralised several of the terrorists and recovered weapons, ammunition and communication gadgets. Post-engagement review of the surveillance footage further confirmed several casualties being evacuated by the retreating terrorists. The recovered items and footage are currently undergoing further operational assessment.

Meanwhile, few troops sustained injuries during the engagement as a part of the defences was temporarily breached leading to damage to some combat enablers and vehicles from Rocket Propelled Grenade fires. The injured personnel were promptly airlifted and are currently stable and receiving medical attention. Following the attack, troops have remained firmly deployed in and around the FOB and adjoining areas to dominate the general area, monitor the situation, and prevent any further attempts by the terrorists to re-engage.

Residents of Gajiram and surrounding communities are advised to remain calm and go about their lawful activities. Members of the public are also encouraged to promptly report any suspicious movement or activity to the nearest security agencies or call 07084988859 to support intelligence sharing in the ongoing operations.

Troops continue to maintain high vigilance in and around Gajiram while exploitation of the operational area and further assessment of terrorists’ casualties and activities remain ongoing.

Headquarters Theatre Command Operation HADIN KAI reassures the public of its unshakable commitment to sustaining pressure on the ISWAP terrorists until lasting peace and stability are fully restored in the North East.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced significant operational gains by the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) across the country, including the rescue of 359 kidnapped and abducted victims, the arrest of suspected terrorists and logistics suppliers, the neutralisation of armed criminals, and the destruction of illegal oil refining sites between July 31 and August 6, 2026.

Speaking during a press briefing on Friday, Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said troops sustained coordinated offensives across all operational theatres against terrorism, kidnapping, oil theft and other criminal activities threatening national security.

In the North East under Operation Hadin Kai, troops foiled an attempted mass abduction along the Buratai–Kamuya Road in Borno State, rescuing 31 civilians after pursuing fleeing terrorists.

They also rescued four captives, including two women and two children, from a terrorist enclave in Gwoza, while several family members of suspected terrorists surrendered in Borno communities.

Troops further arrested suspected terrorist informants and logistics suppliers, intercepted food supplies meant for terrorists, and rescued an 18-year-old abductee, Blessing Tuggur, who was reunited with her family after medical treatment.

In the North West, Operation Fansan Yamma troops intercepted 21 persons travelling through Kaduna State, with five identified as suspected terrorists and handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS). Troops also arrested four suspected cattle rustlers in Sokoto State and recovered six rustled cattle, mobile phones and ₦165,000.

An air strike in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State reportedly neutralised scores of terrorists preparing for an attack and destroyed their logistics and explosive materials.

Under Operation Whirl Stroke in the North Central, troops arrested a suspected gun runner in Benue State, rescued seven kidnapped victims abducted in July, destroyed a hideout linked to a wanted terrorist leader and arrested five of his associates.

Troops also intercepted ammunition in Nasarawa State, foiled kidnapping attempts in Kogi State, rescued two abducted victims and neutralised one terrorist during separate operations, although one member of a local security group was killed.

Operation Enduring Peace also recorded the arrest of a youth leader in Kaduna State over his alleged connection to a recent terrorist attack on Naridon community.

One of the most significant operations was recorded under Operation Savannah Shield, where troops rescued 308 abducted victims, mostly women and children, during a joint operation in Kainji Lake National Park in Niger State.

The military said 163 of those rescued were from Kwara State, while 145 were from Niger State. Troops also arrested a suspected terrorist informant in Kwara and repelled terrorists attempting to launch a reprisal attack on a military base in Niger State, killing one insurgent and recovering nine motorcycles.

In the South-South, Operation Delta Safe troops rescued 11 kidnapped travellers along the Lagos–Benin Road in Edo State. They also intensified operations against crude oil theft, dismantling three illegal refining sites in Rivers State and recovering more than 251,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products in Rivers and Delta states.

Meanwhile, troops of Operation Udo Ka in the South East arrested suspects linked to the May 2026 ambush that killed a soldier, leading to the recovery of weapons and ammunition from camps in Imo State. A militant leader also voluntarily surrendered a cache of buried arms through the Imo State Amnesty Programme.

Troops further arrested five suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), destroyed their hideout in Enugu State, recovered machine guns and an improvised explosive device, and foiled a kidnap attempt along the Nsukka–Obollo Road.

Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their professionalism and resilience, as well as the collaboration between the Armed Forces, other security agencies, local security groups and the public.

He assured Nigerians that the military would sustain the current tempo of operations until peace and stability are fully restored across the country while urging citizens to continue providing credible information to security agencies.