THE Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has said a precision airstrike conducted in the Sambisa Forest area of Borno State killed nine Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters, including a key commander allegedly responsible for facilitating the movement and protection of senior members of the terrorist group.
News Point Nigeria reports that the operation was carried out on Saturday, August 8, 2026, following credible intelligence on the activities and movements of suspected terrorists operating within the forest.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday.
According to him, the operation began with the deployment of a Remotely Piloted Aircraft to conduct persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions in the area.
Ejodame said the surveillance operation enabled the military to identify and track a group of terrorists as they moved towards a suspected hideout.
Following the positive identification and confirmation of the target, he said, the aircraft carried out a precision strike on the location.
“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.
“Further intelligence received after the strike confirmed that 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,” Ejodame said.
The Air Force further said that intelligence received after the strike confirmed that nine ISWAP fighters were killed, while several others sustained injuries.
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.
According to the statement, Al Muhajir’s knowledge of routes, terrain and tactical movements connecting major terrorist enclaves within the Sambisa Forest and surrounding areas made his reported death a significant operational setback for ISWAP.
The NAF also disclosed that intelligence indicated that some of the terrorists affected by the airstrike were linked to elements suspected of participating in the recent ambush of Nigerian troops along the Bita-Yamtage axis in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
The service said the latest operation demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-led air operations, particularly the integration of persistent surveillance with precision strike capabilities.
According to the NAF, the operation is expected to disrupt ISWAP’s arrangements for protecting its leadership, the movement of high-value personnel and the coordination of activities across its various enclaves.
The service said it would continue to conduct intelligence-driven and precision air operations in coordination with surface forces to degrade the capabilities of terrorist groups, restrict their freedom of movement and enhance security for communities across the North-East.