Nigerian military kills over 70 ISWAP terrorists in Borno

The Nigerian military has killed over 70 fighters and commanders of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP.

The operation was conducted by the Nigerian Air Component from Operation Hadin Kai, OPHK, in a fresh airstrike in ISWAP camps in southern Lake Chad, resulting in significant militant casualties.

This was made known on Saturday by Zagazola Makama, a Lake Chad Basin counterterrorism and insurgency expert, in a post on his X handle.

Makama disclosed that intelligence sources told him that the targeted strikes on November 6 focused on camps led by notorious ISWAP commander Usman Russia.

The security expert explained that the strikes specifically hit locations at Kwallaram and Arainna Ciki islands near Jibilarram in Marte Local Government Area.

“Impeccable sources who relayed the ground assessment report that the attack was highly successful, confirming that over 70 ISWAP fighters were neutralized at the Kwallaram camp.

“He noted that while the exact number of casualties at Arainna Ciki remains uncertain, sources indicate that several terrorists were also killed in this coordinated assault,” Makama added.

The security expert stated that the successful airstrikes could be described as arguably one of the most successful strikes undertaken by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai.

According to him, ISWAP had mobilized additional fighters from its Sambisa wing, regrouping in the areas of Kusuma and Sigir in Gamboru Ngala Local Government Area, following the strike.

Makama explained that both locations are within the territory under Usman Russia’s control, with mobilized fighters reportedly including elements from Sambisa Forest and northern border areas of Cameroon.