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From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), waits its air operations against terrorism has dealt a significant blow to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), with the killing of nine fighters in Borno State including a key commander reportedly responsible for facilitating the movement and protection of high-value members of the group.
Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, who made this known, said The successful operation, conducted on Saturday, 8 August 2026, followed credible intelligence on the activities and movement of suspected terrorists within the Sambisa Forest area. Ejodame, in a statement issued in Abuja, said Acting on the intelligence, the NAF deployed a Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) to conduct persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), enabling the identification and tracking of a group of terrorists as they moved towards a suspected hideout. Following positive identification and confirmation of the target, the NAF aircraft conducted a precision engagement on the location.
According to the statement, 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. His elimination represents a significant operational setback for ISWAP, particularly given his reported knowledge of routes, terrain and tactical movements connecting major terrorist enclaves within the Sambisa Forest and surrounding areas.
“Intelligence further indicated that some of the terrorists affected by the strike were assessed to be linked to elements suspected to have been involved in the recent ambush of Nigerian troops along the Bita–Yamtage axis in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. The latest success underscores the growing effectiveness of the NAF’s intelligence-driven air operations, particularly the integration of persistent ISR and precision strike capabilities to detect, track and neutralise terrorist elements before they can regroup or threaten friendly forces and vulnerable communities. Beyond the immediate casualties, the operation is expected to disrupt ISWAP’s leadership protection arrangements, movement of high-value personnel and coordination of activities across its enclaves.
He said The Nigerian Air Force will continue to sustain intelligence-led and precision air operations in close coordination with surface forces, with the objective of degrading terrorist capabilities, disrupting their freedom of movement and creating a more secure environment for affected communities across the North East.
