 have dealt another blow to Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), killing 16 suspected fighters,){kind=link}
By Ahmed Liman Kingimi, Maiduguri
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have dealt another blow to Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), killing 16 suspected fighters, including an Arab national identified as a key commander, in coordinated air and artillery strikes on terrorist hideouts in the Lake Chad Basin.
The military offensive targeted three suspected ISWAP locations in the Tunbunma area of southern Lake Chad in the early hours of October 26, following intelligence reports indicating the presence of key terrorist leaders and fighters.
The Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement issued on October 26, 2026, saying the strikes were conducted between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. using coordinated air and ground weapon systems.
According to the military, a post-strike assessment indicated that 16 suspected ISWAP fighters were killed across the three locations.
Among those reportedly killed was Abu Zubiru, an Arab national described as a key figure in the terrorist network. Two of his associates, Baana Nglewa and Jindullah Sadiq, were also among the dead, alongside other fighters.
The operation also reportedly left the Wali, or governor, of Tunbunma, identified as Abu Saleem, severely injured, alongside seven others.
Captain Goni said the latest offensive reflected the military’s sustained pressure on terrorist networks operating in the North-East, particularly in the Lake Chad Basin, where insurgents have maintained hideouts.
He said the operation was launched on the strength of intelligence about the presence of senior terrorist figures, underscoring the role of intelligence-led missions in identifying and striking insurgent positions.
“There is no hiding place for terrorists,” the military declared, reaffirming its determination to deny insurgents safe havens and sustain operations until peace and normalcy are restored across the region.
The Theatre Command also called on residents to support the ongoing campaign by providing security agencies with timely and credible information that could help identify terrorist movements and prevent attacks.
The latest strike comes just days after OPHK reported killing 15 suspected terrorists in a precision air strike northwest of Pulka, in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
The successive operations form part of the military’s intensified campaign against insurgent networks across the Lake Chad Basin and Sambisa corridors, as troops continue efforts to disrupt terrorist activities and weaken their operational capabilities.
While the military reported 16 fighters killed in the latest operation, the casualty figures and identities remain based on the official statement issued by Operation HADIN KAI.
About The Author
