The Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai has neutralised over 40 Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in a precision air strike on a terrorist enclave at Badu Village, south of Gudumbali in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State.
The military in a statement on Monday, said the casualties included a prominent commander, adding that the operation, was executed on October 10 and followed intelligence reports that the terrorists were preparing coordinated attacks on troops operating within Sector 3.
Aerial surveillance identified fighters around suspected hideouts and logistics facilities before a targeted strike was launched on a building occupied by the terrorists.
According to the Joint Task Force (North East), preliminary human intelligence and battle damage assessment indicated that more than 40 fighters, including an ISWAP commander known as a Qaid, were killed. Two vehicles and about 20 motorcycles used for mobility, logistics and offensive operations were also destroyed.
Further intelligence identified the fighters as members of ISWAP’s Murabitun element, a specialised mobile unit responsible for patrols, coordinating attacks and sustaining terrorist activities in the area. The destruction of the enclave and its operational assets is expected to disrupt the group’s activities and weaken its capacity to launch attacks across the Lake Chad region.
The military said further assessments were ongoing to determine the full impact of the strike, adding that the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-led air operations in disrupting terrorist networks and preventing attacks on military positions and surrounding communities.
The Joint Task Force said troops would sustain coordinated air and ground operations to eliminate terrorist threats, protect vulnerable communities and restore lasting peace and stability across the North-East.
