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Nigeria’s air force has disclosed on Monday that it killed several senior Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists, including figures in the group’s security structure and leadership council, in a precision strike in the Lake Chad region.
The strike was carried out on October 19 against an identified militant hideout under Operation HADIN KAI, the joint task force operating in the northeast, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said in a statement.
Preliminary assessments indicated that those killed included JINDULLAH, described as the chief security guard and confidant of Abu Saleem, and ABUL KISSA, a member of the ISWAP Shura Council.
The strike also destroyed boat engines and motorcycles used to support the group’s movement and operations.
“The operation demonstrates the NAF’s intense effort to conduct intelligence-led precision strikes against terrorist enclaves concealed within difficult terrain,” the statement said.
PRESS RELEASE
NAF DEALS SIGNIFICANT BLOW TO ISWAP, NEUTRALISES KEY TERRORIST FIGURES IN PRECISION AIR STRIKE
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), operating under the Joint Task Force, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), has recorded a significant operational success against terrorists in the… pic.twitter.com/hTzKiE5Jj3
— Nigerian Air Force (@NigAirForce) October 19, 2026
It said the strike delivered “a significant setback to ISWAP’s operational capability, further constraining its ability to coordinate activities and threaten vulnerable communities.”
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, reaffirmed the force’s resolve to sustain decisive air operations against militant networks.
“The Nigerian Air Force remains committed to working closely with sister Services and other security agencies to consolidate operational gains, protect vulnerable communities and advance efforts towards lasting peace and security in the North-East,” the statement said.
