The Nigerian military says it has killed more than 40 Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists, including a commander, in an airstrike on Badu village, south of Gufumbali in Guzamala, Borno State.
Mohammed Goni, spokesperson for Operation Hadin Kai, said on Monday that the strike hit a terrorist hideout on Saturday after intelligence reports revealed plans by ISWAP fighters to launch coordinated attacks on troops in Sector 3.
According to him, the air force tracked the fighters around suspected hideouts and supply centres before striking a building occupied by the terrorists.
“Acting swiftly on the intelligence, the air component conducted targeted aerial surveillance, identified terrorist movements around suspected hideouts and logistics facilities, and subsequently executed a precision strike on a building occupied by the terrorists,” Mr Goni said.
He said early intelligence and damage assessments showed that more than 40 fighters, including a senior ISWAP commander known as a Qaid, were killed.
The strike also destroyed two vehicles and about 20 motorcycles used for movement, supplies and attacks.
Goni said the operation stopped planned attacks on military positions and nearby communities.
“Further intelligence revealed that the terrorists belonged to ISWAP’s Murabitun element, a specialised mobile fighting unit responsible for conducting patrols, coordinating attacks and sustaining terrorist activities within the general area,” he said.
He added that destroying the hideout and its assets dealt a major blow to ISWAP’s ability to carry out attacks in the Lake Chad region.
Further assessments are ongoing to establish the full extent of the damage.
