Troops of the Nigerian military have neutralised 16 suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters in coordinated air and artillery strikes on three suspected terrorist locations in the Lake Chad region of Borno State.
The strikes targeted suspected terrorist enclaves in the Tunbunma area of southern Lake Chad between 1am and 2am on Monday, October 26, 2026, following intelligence reports about the presence of key terrorist leaders and fighters.
The Joint Task Force, North East, under Operation Hadin Kai, said the operation was part of its sustained offensive against terrorist networks operating in the Lake Chad Basin.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force, North East, Captain Mohammed Goni, said a post-strike assessment indicated that 16 suspected ISWAP fighters had been killed across the three targeted locations.
According to Goni, those reportedly killed included Abu Zubiru, described as an Arab national, and two other fighters identified as Baana Nglewa and Jindullah Sadiq.
The statement added that Abu Saleem, identified as the Wali, or leader, of Tunbunma, sustained severe injuries during the strikes, alongside seven other individuals.
The military said the operation involved the coordinated use of air and ground weapon systems to strike the identified locations based on intelligence regarding the presence of terrorist elements.
Reaffirming the military’s determination to sustain pressure on insurgent groups in the North-East, the Theatre Command said it would continue to conduct intelligence-led operations aimed at degrading terrorist networks and restoring peace to the region.
“Operation HADIN KAI reaffirms that there is no hiding place for terrorists,” the statement said.
The military also urged members of the public to provide security agencies with timely and credible information to support ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
