On Wednesday, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai successfully targeted and eliminated three key commanders of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP), along with numerous fighters in the Marte and Kukawa areas of Borno State.
Among the high-profile figures neutralized were Abou Maimuna, Abou Zahra, and Commander Saleh.
This strategic operation, meticulously orchestrated by the recently appointed Air Component Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Air Commodore UU Idris, unfolded as NAF’s Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft detected the movement of terrorists in a canoe.
The intelligence sources, as relayed by counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama specializing in the Lake Chad region, highlighted that the terrorists were spotted during this critical reconnaissance phase.
Subsequently, the NAF conducted a series of precise airstrikes under the command of Air Commodore UU Idris.
These airstrikes were executed as the ISWAP fighters attempted to escape their identified location.
The coordinated strikes proved highly effective, resulting in the elimination of the three ISWAP commanders and a number of their associates who were on the canoe.
Additional strikes were carried out in the vicinity of Ali Sherifti or Kwatan Shalla around the Kukawa axis.
While the exact number remains unconfirmed, these subsequent airstrikes targeted ISWAP terrorists, further diminishing their operational capabilities in the region.
This successful operation underscores the NAF’s commitment to combating insurgency in the Lake Chad region and signifies a significant blow to the ISWAP leadership.
The utilization of intelligence, surveillance, and precise airstrikes demonstrates the evolving and effective strategies employed by the Nigerian military in addressing security challenges in the region.
