The Nigerian Air Force said its airstrike in the Sambisa Forest area of Borno State had killed nine Islamic State West Africa Province fighters, including a major commander responsible for facilitating the movement and protection of senior members of the group.
It said the operation was conducted on Saturday, August 8, 2026, following credible intelligence on the activities and movement of suspected terrorists 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, a Remotely Piloted Aircraft was deployed to conduct persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance operations, leading to the identification and tracking of a group of terrorists moving towards a suspected hideout.
He said that after positive identification and confirmation of the target, 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.
He added that further intelligence received after the strike confirmed that nine ISWAP fighters were killed, while several others were wounded.
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.
The statement said his reported knowledge of routes, terrain and tactical movements linking major terrorist enclaves within the Sambisa Forest and surrounding areas made his death a significant operational setback for ISWAP.
The NAF further said intelligence indicated that some of the terrorists affected by the strike were linked to elements suspected to have participated in the recent ambush of Nigerian troops along the Bita-Yamtage axis in Gwoza Local Government Area of the state.
It 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 leadership protection arrangements, the movement of high-value personnel, and the coordination of activities across its enclaves.
The service said it would continue to conduct intelligence-driven and precision air operations in coordination with surface forces to degrade terrorist capabilities, restrict their freedom of movement and improve security for communities in the North-East.
