Major Blow to ISWAP as Troops Eliminate Top Commander, Kill Over 50 Terrorists in Borno Offensive
Precision airstrikes and ground operations force insurgents out of strongholds as military intensifies crackdown across the North-East.
Nigerian troops have recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against terrorism after eliminating more than 50 terrorists, including a senior ISWAP commander, during coordinated air and ground operations in Borno State. The latest offensive also led to the arrest of suspected collaborators and the recovery of weapons and logistics supplies.
The Nigerian military has dealt a significant blow to terrorist groups operating in the North-East, killing more than 50 insurgents, including a top-ranking ISWAP commander, during a series of coordinated operations across Borno State.
According to an operational report released on Wednesday, troops of Operation Hadin Kai intensified both air and ground offensives against terrorist strongholds, targeting key leadership figures and disrupting supply networks.
One of the biggest successes came from a precision airstrike around the Kirta and Arina Ciki areas, where several high-profile terrorist commanders were reportedly neutralised.
Among those killed was Khalifa Umar, a prominent member of the ISWAP Shura Council, considered one of the group’s top decision-making bodies.
Military sources said the operation dealt a major setback to the terrorist organisation’s command structure and ongoing activities in the region.
Terrorists Forced to Flee Strongholds
The report revealed that sustained aerial bombardments have placed insurgents under intense pressure, forcing many fighters to abandon their island hideouts and retreat toward mainland locations.
Security analysts have long regarded the island enclaves around the Lake Chad Basin as strategic safe havens for terrorist groups operating in the North-East.
However, the military said its evolving strategy of combining intelligence gathering, surveillance technology, and precision strikes is steadily dismantling those strongholds.
Collaborators Arrested, Weapons Recovered
Beyond the battlefield successes, troops also arrested three suspected ISWAP logistics suppliers and informants during separate operations in Maiduguri and nearby communities.
The military further apprehended a deserter soldier who allegedly absconded with his service weapon and later became involved in criminal activities.
Items recovered from the suspects included a rifle with magazines, a vehicle, 30 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and other materials believed to have been used in supporting terrorist operations.
Troops conducting fighting patrols in the Kukawa axis also engaged fleeing terrorist scouts and recovered additional ammunition.
Operation Hadin Kai Tightens Grip on Terror Networks
The North-East remains the focal point of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism campaign under Operation Hadin Kai, which has continued to target ISWAP and Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) elements operating within the Lake Chad Basin and Sambisa Forest corridors.
Military authorities say recent operations have increasingly focused on dismantling terrorist leadership structures, cutting off supply routes, and restricting insurgents’ freedom of movement.
The strategy appears to be yielding results, with many terrorist cells reportedly abandoning fortified camps and dispersing into smaller groups that are easier to track and neutralise.
Military Vows Sustained Pressure
The military said the latest offensive forms part of broader efforts to restore security and stability across the North-East.
Officials pledged to sustain the momentum of ongoing operations until terrorist groups are further weakened and communities affected by years of insurgency can return to normal life.
With the elimination of a senior ISWAP commander and dozens of fighters, security observers believe the latest operation could mark another important step in Nigeria’s long-running battle against terrorism.
