Troops of the Nigeria Army have neutralized over 70 fighters, including high-ranking commanders, of the Islamic State West Africa Province through coordinated airstrikes in Lake Chad’s southern regions.
The Nigerian Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai carried out this strategic operation, inflicting substantial losses on the insurgents, particularly within ISWAP camps in the volatile Lake Chad area.
A well-regarded expert on counterterrorism and insurgency in the Lake Chad Basin, Zagazola Makama, reported this on his X handle on Saturday.
Makama pointed out that intelligence sources revealed that the targeted airstrikes, conducted on November 6, focused on militant camps under the notorious ISWAP commander known as Usman Russia.
Makama further shared that the air raids were precisely aimed at locations on Kwallaram and Arainna Ciki islands, situated near Jibilarram in Marte Local Government Area.
“Impeccable sources who relayed the ground assessment report that the attack was highly successful, confirming that over 70 ISWAP fighters were neutralized at the Kwallaram camp,” Makama stated.
While the exact death toll from Arainna Ciki remains uncertain, sources confirm that multiple militants were killed during this well-coordinated strike.
Describing the airstrike as one of the most successful operations ever carried out by OPHK’s Air Component, Makama emphasized its strategic impact.
He noted that ISWAP, reacting swiftly, had mobilized reinforcements from their strongholds in Sambisa Forest.
Reports indicated that fighters were regrouping in the areas of Kusuma and Sigir, located in Gamboru Ngala Local Government Area, which remain under the influence of commander Usman Russia.
The reinforcement efforts reportedly included additional fighters from Sambisa and border regions in northern Cameroon, hinting at a broader strategy to bolster ISWAP’s defenses in response to the military’s offensive.
This latest operation by OPHK signifies a significant setback for ISWAP, underlining the Nigerian military’s continued efforts to dismantle insurgent networks in one of the most contested regions in Nigeria’s northeast.
