The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says an airstrike in the Sambisa Forest area of Borno State has killed nine Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters, including a senior commander.
The strike, carried out on Saturday, followed intelligence reports indicating the movement of suspected terrorists towards a hideout in the forest.
NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
He said a Remotely Piloted Aircraft was deployed for sustained Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance operations, which enabled the military to track the terrorists before carrying out a precision strike.
“Following positive identification and confirmation of the target, the NAF aircraft conducted a precision engagement on the location. Subsequent battle damage assessment indicated significant effects on the targeted compound, with several terrorists neutralised.
“Further intelligence received after the strike confirmed that nine ISWAP fighters were killed, while several others were wounded. Among those reportedly neutralised was Abu Khalid Al Muhajir, described as a prominent ISWAP commander responsible for providing special security escorts for the movement of senior members of the terrorist group,” Ejodame said.
The NAF said Al Muhajir’s knowledge of routes, terrain and tactical movements across the Sambisa Forest and surrounding areas made his reported death a major setback for ISWAP.
It added that some of those hit in the operation were suspected to have been involved in the recent ambush of Nigerian troops along the Bita-Yamtage axis in Gwoza Local Government Area.Geographic Reference
According to the service, the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of combining persistent surveillance with precision airstrikes to disrupt terrorist activities.
The NAF said it would continue intelligence-led air operations alongside ground forces to weaken terrorist networks, restrict their movement and improve security across the North-East.
