MAIDUGURI, Borno State – The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says nine fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), including a senior commander, have been killed in a precision airstrike conducted in the Sambisa Forest area of Borno State.
The military said the operation was carried out on Saturday, August 8, 2026, after intelligence reports indicated that suspected ISWAP members were moving within the forest and heading towards a suspected hideout.
The latest operation comes as Nigerian security forces intensify intelligence-led operations against terrorist groups operating across Borno and other parts of the North-East.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the operation followed the collection of credible intelligence regarding the movement and activities of suspected terrorists in the Sambisa Forest.
According to the Air Force, a Remotely Piloted Aircraft was deployed to conduct prolonged Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations in the area.
The surveillance reportedly enabled military personnel to identify and track a group of suspected terrorists as they moved towards a location believed to be one of their hideouts.
After the target was positively identified and confirmed, the aircraft carried out a precision strike against the suspected terrorist position.
NAF said an initial battle damage assessment indicated that the strike had caused significant damage to the targeted compound and resulted in the neutralisation of several terrorists.
Further intelligence obtained after the operation subsequently confirmed that nine ISWAP fighters had been killed, while several others sustained injuries.
Senior ISWAP commander reportedly killed
Among those killed in the operation was identified by the Air Force as Abu Khalid Al Muhajir, described as a prominent ISWAP commander.
According to NAF, Al Muhajir was responsible for providing specialised security escorts for senior members of the terrorist organisation as they moved between locations.
The military said the commander possessed knowledge of routes, terrain and tactical movements connecting major ISWAP enclaves within the Sambisa Forest and surrounding areas.
His reported death, according to the Air Force, could therefore affect the group’s ability to protect senior commanders and move personnel between its operational areas.
NAF described the reported killing of the commander as a significant operational setback for ISWAP, particularly because of his alleged role in facilitating the movement and security of senior members of the group.
Possible link to recent troop ambush
The Nigerian Air Force also disclosed that intelligence gathered after the strike indicated that some of the terrorists affected by the operation may have been connected to individuals suspected of participating in a recent attack on Nigerian troops.
The suspects were reportedly linked to elements involved in the ambush of Nigerian soldiers along the Bita-Yamtage axis in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
The military did not provide further details on the identities of those allegedly involved in the earlier attack or specify how the intelligence established their connection to the Sambisa Forest group.
However, the development suggests that security agencies are continuing to use intelligence gathered from different operations to track terrorist networks and identify individuals involved in attacks against military personnel.
Intelligence-led operation
NAF said the latest strike demonstrated the importance of combining persistent aerial surveillance with precision air operations.
The service explained that the use of remotely piloted aircraft allowed military personnel to observe the suspected terrorists before determining whether the conditions were suitable for an engagement.
Such operations are designed to reduce uncertainty around target identification while providing ground forces with information about terrorist movements and positions.
The Air Force said the operation would also help disrupt ISWAP’s ability to coordinate activities between its different enclaves in the North-East.
According to the military, the reported death of a commander involved in escorting senior members could interfere with the movement of high-value personnel and weaken the group’s internal security arrangements.
NAF vows continued operations
The Nigerian Air Force said it would maintain intelligence-driven and precision air operations against terrorist groups operating in the North-East.
The service also stressed that its air operations would continue in coordination with surface forces to improve the effectiveness of military operations on the ground.
NAF said the broader objective is to degrade the operational capabilities of terrorist groups, restrict their freedom of movement and create safer conditions for communities affected by insecurity.
The military’s latest announcement comes amid continued counter-insurgency operations across Borno State, where security forces have been battling ISWAP and other armed groups for years.
Sambisa Forest remains one of the key areas associated with terrorist activity in the region, making intelligence gathering and aerial surveillance an important component of ongoing military operations.
While the Nigerian Air Force reported nine terrorist fatalities and several injuries from Saturday’s strike, independent verification of the reported casualties was not immediately available.
Wifey News will continue to monitor the security situation in Borno and report further developments as additional verified information emerges.
