Fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have reportedly buried no fewer than 30 of their members following a series of devastating airstrikes by the Nigerian military in Borno State, northeast Nigeria.
According to security analyst and counter insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, in a post today on X, credible military sources said the burial rites were conducted in the Mallam Fatori axis after sustained precision air interdiction missions executed under Operation HADIN KAI.
The strikes followed actionable intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) confirming coordinated movement of ISWAP fighters along key waterways around the Kaniram Island area. Observations from ISR platforms revealed over 30 boats lined along riverbanks, with intense human activity suggesting logistical coordination and fighter movement.
Upon positive identification, Nigerian Air Force assets launched multiple precision strikes, initially destroying several boats used for transport and supply. Follow-up strikes targeted fleeing and regrouping fighters within nearby vegetation, resulting in further casualties.
Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) indicates that more than 30 terrorists were neutralized during the operations, while a number of others escaped into surrounding hideouts.
Subsequent intelligence, including post-strike imagery and intercepted visuals, confirmed that ISWAP fighters later carried out mass burial rites for those killed, underscoring the scale of losses inflicted.
“The observed burial activities provide clear evidence of the heavy toll on the group,” a source disclosed.
In a related development, additional airstrikes were conducted in nearby locations, including Sowolwolo, where another group of terrorists was successfully engaged and eliminated.
Military authorities noted that the sustained air campaign has significantly degraded ISWAP’s operational capabilities across the Lake Chad region, particularly affecting their mobility and coordination.
The Nigerian military reaffirmed its resolve to sustain pressure on terrorist elements while consolidating gains in ongoing operations aimed at restoring lasting peace and stability in the North-East.
