Airstrikes by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) have neutralised nine Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters, and one key commander reportedly responsible for facilitating the movement and protection of high-value members of the group in Borno State.

The airstrikes were carried on Saturday, 8 August 2026, following credible intelligence on the activities and movement of suspected terrorists within the Sambisa Forest area.

In a statement, the NAF Director of Information and Public Relations, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said that intelligence received after the operation confirmed that the nine ISWAP fighters were killed, while several others were wounded.

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

“His elimination represents a significant operational setback for ISWAP, particularly given his reported knowledge of routes, terrain and tactical movements connecting major terrorist enclaves within the Sambisa Forest and surrounding areas,” Ejodame said.

He explained that the NAF deployed a Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) to conduct persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), enabling the identification and tracking of a group of terrorists as they moved towards a suspected hideout, saying that 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.

“Intelligence further indicated that some of the terrorists affected by the strike were assessed to be 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,” he said.

According to him, the latest success underscores the growing effectiveness of the NAF’s intelligence-driven air operations, particularly the integration of persistent ISR and precision strike capabilities to detect, track and neutralise terrorist elements before they can regroup or threaten friendly forces and vulnerable communities.

He said beyond the immediate casualties, the operation is expected to disrupt ISWAP’s leadership protection arrangements, movement of high-value personnel and coordination of activities across its enclaves.

Ejodame assured that the Nigerian Air Force will continue to sustain intelligence-led and precision air operations in close coordination with surface forces, with the objective of degrading terrorist capabilities, disrupting their freedom of movement and creating a more secure environment for affected communities across the North East.