NAF airstrike kills nine ISWAP fighters, commander in Borno

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reported a successful precision strike in the Sambisa Forest area of Borno State, resulting in the deaths of nine Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters and a significant commander. The operation, conducted on Saturday, August 8, 2026, followed credible intelligence regarding terrorist activities and movements within the forest.

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The successful operation, conducted on Saturday, 8 August 2026, followed credible intelligence on the activities and movement of suspected terrorists within the Sambisa Forest area. Acting on the intelligence, the NAF deployed a Remotely Piloted Aircraft to conduct persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, enabling the identification and tracking of a group of terrorists as they moved towards a suspected hideout. Following positive identification and confirmation of the target, the NAF aircraft conducted a precision engagement on the location. Subsequent battle damage assessment indicated significant effects on the targeted compound, with several terrorists neutralised.

According to Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF Headquarters, a Remotely Piloted Aircraft was deployed for persistent Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR). This allowed for the identification and tracking of a group of terrorists moving towards a suspected hideout. After positive identification, the aircraft executed a precision engagement.

Battle damage assessment confirmed that nine ISWAP fighters were killed and several others wounded. The NAF identified one of the deceased as Abu Khalid Al Muhajir, described as a prominent ISWAP commander responsible for facilitating the movement and protection of senior group members. His knowledge of routes and tactical movements within Sambisa Forest and surrounding areas is considered a significant operational setback for ISWAP.

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The NAF said the operation was conducted on Saturday, August 8, 2026, following credible intelligence on the activities and movement of suspected terrorists within the forest.

Further intelligence suggests that some of the neutralized fighters were linked to the recent ambush of Nigerian troops along the Bita-Yamtage axis in Gwoza Local Government Area. The NAF highlighted the operation as a demonstration of effective intelligence-led air operations, integrating persistent surveillance with precision strike capabilities.

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Among those reportedly killed was Abu Khalid Al Muhajir, whom the NAF described as a prominent ISWAP commander responsible for providing special security escorts for the movement of senior members of the terrorist group.