NAF airstrikes eliminate top ISWAP commanders in Borno

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed the successful elimination of several top commanders of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) in a series of precision airstrikes conducted in Southern Tumbuns, Borno State.

The strikes, executed on July 27 under Operation Hadin Kai, followed actionable intelligence from intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. These missions revealed that ISWAP fighters had regrouped at ARINA WOJE, a well-known terrorist enclave near the Lake Chad region.

In a statement issued on Monday, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information for the NAF, disclosed that ISR operations detected increased movement of terrorist foot soldiers, the reactivation of militant infrastructure, and the presence of possible command centers concealed beneath dense vegetation.

The NAF spokesman said: “Air assets were dispatched for a focused strike mission.

“On arrival, the aircrew acquired and prosecuted pre-selected targets using precision-guided munitions, achieving devastating effects.”

According to him, a preliminary battle damage assessment showed that several structures were destroyed, including those housing senior ISWAP leaders, fighters, and logistics hubs.

He said the successful operation has significantly disrupted ISWAP’s planning and resupply capabilities in the region.

“This operation reflects the NAF’s continued resolve to dislodge terrorist elements, deny them freedom of movement, and support ground forces in restoring peace and stability across Nigeria,” Ejodame said.

He added that the strike also underscores the effectiveness of intelligence-led air power in modern counter-terrorism efforts.