Military strikes ISWAP enclaves in Lake Chad, kills 16 terrorists

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have killed 16 suspected Islamic State West Africa Province fighters during coordinated air and artillery strikes on three suspected terrorist locations in the Tunbunma area of South Lake Chad. ‎ ‎The operation was carried out between 1am and 2am on Monday, October 26, 2026, following intelligence reports indicating the presence of key terrorist leaders and fighters in the area. ‎ ‎The military disclosed this on Monday in a statement signed by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni. ‎ ‎According to Goni, the operation involved the use of air and ground weapon systems to engage the identified locations. ‎ ‎“Battle Damage Assessment indicates that 16 ISWAP fighters were neutralised across the targeted locations,” the statement said. ‎ ‎The military identified some of those reportedly killed as Abu Zubiru, described as an Arab national, and his associates, Baana Nglewa and Jindullah Sadiq. ‎ ‎It added that Abu Saleem, identified as the Wali of Tunbunma, sustained severe injuries alongside seven others during the operation. ‎ ‎The military said the offensive was part of sustained efforts to dismantle terrorist networks operating in the Lake Chad Basin. ‎ ‎“Operation HADIN KAI reaffirms that there is no hiding place for terrorists and remains committed to restoring peace and normalcy while conducting intelligence-led operations against terrorist elements in the North East,” the statement added. ‎ ‎The military urged members of the public to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing counter-terrorism operations.

In May 2026, troops of the Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation HADIN KAI, repelled a night attack by ISWAP terrorists on the 120 Task Force Battalion in Gonori, Borno State.

According to the Nigerian Army, the terrorists advanced from the Mandunari axis around midnight on May 9 but were detected early and engaged by troops in a coordinated defensive operation.