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The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says its latest airstrike in Borno State has killed nine Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters, including a key commander responsible for facilitating the movement and protection of senior members of the terrorist group.
The operation was conducted on Saturday, August 8, 2026, following credible intelligence on the activities and movement of suspected terrorists within the Sambisa Forest area of the state.
In a statement on Sunday, the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said a Remotely Piloted Aircraft was deployed to conduct persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance operations.
According to him, the surveillance enabled the military to identify and track a group of terrorists moving towards a suspected hideout.
“Following positive identification and confirmation of the target, the NAF aircraft conducted a precision engagement on the location,” Ejodame noted.
“Further intelligence received after the strike confirmed that nine ISWAP fighters were killed, while several others were wounded,” he added.
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 group.
The Air Force said his death represented a significant operational setback for ISWAP, given his reported knowledge of routes, terrain and tactical movements linking major terrorist enclaves within the Sambisa Forest and surrounding areas.
The NAF said intelligence indicated that some of the fighters affected by the strike were linked to elements suspected to have been involved in the recent ambush of Nigerian troops along the Bita–Yamtage axis in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
The military said the operation demonstrated the growing effectiveness of intelligence-driven air operations, particularly through the integration of persistent surveillance and precision strike capabilities.
It added that the operation was expected to disrupt ISWAP’s leadership protection arrangements, the movement of high-value personnel and the coordination of activities across its enclaves.
The NAF said it would continue to sustain intelligence-led and precision air operations in coordination with ground forces to degrade terrorist capabilities, restrict their freedom of movement and improve security for communities across the North-East.
