Operation Hadin Kai airstrikes neutralise four ISWAP terrorists, destroy 12 boats in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Precision Airstrikes under Operation Hadin Kai on suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists around Kangarwa in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, have neutralized several terrorists and destroying 12 logistics boats.
The operation, according to a military sources on Wednesday, was conducted after an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission detected a large concentration of terrorist logistics boats along the riverbank around Kangarwa.
The sources said the operation was carried out at about 12:55 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, following the sighting of 44 terrorist logistics boats positioned along the riverbank at coordinates around 13.266255°N, 13.657312°E.
It said the initial strike was conducted by Nigerian Air Force aircraft, identified in the report as the “Phantoms,” targeting the terrorist logistics boats.
Following the initial engagement, another aircraft conducting an armed reconnaissance mission, remained overhead and observed terrorists attempting to salvage and load some of the damaged logistics boats.
According to the military, the fighting aircraft subsequently conducted a precision strike against terrorists gathered around a larger cluster of the boats.
“Battle damage assessment showed four terrorists neutralised and 12 terrorist logistics boats destroyed,” the report stated.
The operation was part of ongoing air-ground efforts by troops of Operation Hadin Kai to disrupt terrorist movements, logistics and freedom of action within the Lake Chad Basin.
The destruction of the boats is considered significant as waterways in the Lake Chad region are frequently used by terrorist groups to move personnel, weapons, food supplies and other logistics between their operating locations.
The military said the aircraft crew remained overhead after the strike to monitor further movements in the area and provide continued surveillance.
The latest operation comes amid sustained military pressure against terrorist elements operating in Borno and surrounding areas, with the Nigerian military employing coordinated intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and precision air operations to degrade terrorist capabilities.
The military said operations would continue to deny terrorist groups access to critical routes and logistics networks while supporting ongoing ground operations against their formations in the North-East.
