The Nigerian military has recorded a significant breakthrough in its ongoing counter-insurgency operations, following a precision airstrike that neutralised several fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Borno State.
The operation, carried out by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI, targeted a suspected ISWAP hideout in the Southern Lake Chad region during a late-night mission on July 23.
According to security reports, the strike was intelligence-driven, following sustained Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) efforts which identified heightened terrorist activity around Arenna in Marte Local Government Area.
Military sources revealed that the air mission commenced at approximately 10:35 p.m., shortly after surveillance detected the movement of about 50 motorcycles believed to be operated by ISWAP fighters within the area.
After maintaining aerial surveillance, the military launched a precision strike on a structure confirmed to be a terrorist hideout.
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A post-strike Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) indicated that all fighters within the building were neutralised, while three additional fighters outside the structure were also eliminated.
However, reports noted that three suspected terrorists managed to flee the scene, suggesting limited survival from the initial bombardment.
Surveillance aircraft reportedly remained on standby after the strike, monitoring the area and prepared to engage any fleeing insurgents attempting to regroup or escape.
Military officials described the mission as successful, noting that it forms part of a broader air interdiction campaign aimed at dismantling ISWAP and Boko Haram strongholds, disrupting their logistics networks, and restricting their movement across the Lake Chad region.
The latest development underscores the military’s sustained efforts to restore security in Nigeria’s North-East and weaken insurgent operations in the region
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