MAIDUGURI, Borno State (DGR News) – 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.
