The Nigerian Air Force has said a precision airstrike in the Sambisa Forest area of Borno State killed nine Islamic State West Africa Province fighters, including a senior commander responsible for facilitating the movement and protection of high-ranking members of the terrorist group.
The airstrike was conducted on Saturday, August 8, 2026, following credible intelligence on the activities and movement of suspected terrorists within the Sambisa Forest area.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday, August 9, 2026.
According to him, the NAF deployed a Remotely Piloted Aircraft to conduct persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance operations, which led to the identification and tracking of a group of terrorists moving towards a suspected hideout.
Ejodame said the aircraft carried out a precision strike after the targets were positively identified and confirmed.
“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,” he said.
He added that subsequent intelligence confirmed that nine ISWAP fighters were killed, while several others sustained injuries.
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 senior members of the terrorist group.
The NAF said Al Muhajir’s knowledge of routes, terrain and tactical movements linking major terrorist enclaves within the Sambisa Forest and surrounding areas made his reported death a significant operational setback for the group.
The service also said intelligence indicated that some of the terrorists affected by the strike were linked to elements suspected of participating in the recent ambush of Nigerian troops along the Bita-Yamtage axis in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
The NAF said the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-led air operations, particularly the integration of persistent surveillance with precision strike capabilities.
According to the service, the strike is expected to disrupt ISWAP’s leadership protection arrangements, movement of high-value personnel and coordination of activities across its enclaves.
The NAF 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.
