OPHK Air Strikes Kill 103 ISWAP Terrorists in Eight Days, Hit Abu Saleem’s Hideout
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian military says sustained intelligence-led air operations by Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) neutralised 103 Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists and destroyed several logistics facilities across the North-East between Oct. 10 and 18.
The operations involved Nigerian Army Aviation, the Nigerian Army Remotely Piloted Aircraft Regiment (NARPARS) and the Air Component, which conducted seven precision strikes against terrorist concentrations, hideouts and logistics facilities in Borno and Adamawa states.
Security sources said the strikes targeted locations around Gudumbali in Guzamala Local Government Area, Badu in Monguno LGA, Mairari, an area east of Badu, Duste Uku in Gombi LGA of Adamawa State, and the alternate residence of Abu Saleem, ISWAP’s Wali of South Lake Chad, in the Arina Woje area of Monguno LGA.
A major operation was recorded on Oct. 18 when an Air Component strike targeted Abu Saleem’s alternate residence following intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities.
Subsequent human intelligence reportedly confirmed the neutralisation of Jindullah, a prominent ISWAP fighter said to have served as Abu Saleem’s chief security guard, and Abul Kissa, a member of the group’s Shura Council.
Other prominent fighters were also reportedly killed in the strike.
The targeted structure was completely destroyed, alongside logistics assets, including nine boat engines and several motorcycles stored at the premises.
The destruction of the facility is expected to disrupt the group’s use of the location as a hideout and logistics point within the forested area.
Earlier, on Oct. 13, a Guardian air asset reportedly tracked a group of 16 terrorists from the Mairari axis to a gathering of more than 100 fighters accompanied by several motorcycles in an area approximately 23 kilometres east of Badu and 19 kilometres west of Monguno.
A subsequent precision strike on the gathering was assessed to have killed about 30 terrorists, although the extent of damage to the motorcycles remained unconfirmed.
Other strikes conducted during the eight-day period targeted suspected terrorist elements and facilities around Gudumbali, Badu, Mairari and Duste Uku.
According to the military account, the seven strikes collectively resulted in the neutralisation of 103 terrorists and the destruction of several logistics hubs and storage facilities.
The operations were aimed at disrupting ISWAP’s leadership structures, degrading its mobility and logistics capabilities, and denying the group safe havens across the theatre.
The sustained air campaign also highlights the growing coordination between Nigerian Army Aviation, NARPARS, the Air Component and ground forces in intelligence-led operations against terrorist networks in the North-East.
Zagazola Makama reports that the military has continued to apply pressure on ISWAP positions and logistics infrastructure as part of efforts to weaken the group’s operational capacity and restore security across the Lake Chad Basin.
