Troops Kill 16 Suspected ISWAP Terrorists In Lake Chad Basin

The Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), has killed 16 suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters during coordinated air and artillery strikes on three suspected terrorist locations in the Tunbunma area of South Lake Chad.

It said that the operation, which followed intelligence on the presence of key terrorist leaders and fighters, was part of efforts to sustain its relentless offensive against terrorist networks in the Lake Chad Basin,

The Acting Military Information Officer. Captain Mohammed Goni, in a statement on Monday, said the operation was conducted between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. on October 26, 2026, using 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 read in part. “Among those reportedly killed were Abu Zubiru, an Arab national, and two associates, Baana Nglewa and Jindullah Sadiq, alongside other fighters. Additionally, Abu Saleem, identified as the Wali of Tunbunma, sustained severe injuries alongside seven others.”

Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed that there is no hiding place for terrorists, adding that it remains committed to restoring peace and normalcy while conducting intelligence-led operations against terrorist elements in the North East.

It urged members of the public to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing counter-terrorism operations.

This came as troops of the Joint Task Force North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, neutralised eight suspected terrorists and rescued three kidnapped victims during coordinated operations in Katsina, Kaduna and Zamfara States.

The operations also led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, three locally fabricated guns, three motorcycles, cutlasses and assorted charms.

The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Captain Tamuno Sinivie, in a statement issued on Monday, explained that troops of Sector One, acting on a distress call from farmers at Machika Dam in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State on Saturday, October 24, engaged suspected terrorists in a gun battle, neutralising two of them while others fled.