Nigerian troops under Operation Hadin Kai, in collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), have neutralised more than 35 fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) during a coordinated counteroffensive in Kumshe, a border town in Borno State.
According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, the terrorists, who advanced from the Gulumba Gana axis, launched an assault on military positions in the early hours of Saturday but were repelled by heavy firepower. The clash left at least 35 ISWAP fighters dead.
Reports said some wounded insurgents were evacuated to the Zangeri camp near Gulumba Gana, while others were buried hastily or abandoned on the battlefield due to the swift response of the military. The troops also recorded casualties, with one soldier killed and two others injured.
To reinforce the ground operation, the NAF carried out precision air strikes on terrorist hideouts and assembly points close to the Nigeria–Cameroon border. The strikes reportedly disrupted ISWAP reinforcements and weakened their operational capacity.
In a statement, Ehimen Ejodame, NAF’s director of public relations and information, confirmed that the air force executed strikes on four major terrorist camps near Kumshe and maintained communication with ground forces throughout the mission.
“The latest operation demonstrates the Nigerian Air Force’s unwavering commitment to providing close air support to ground troops, while also disrupting terrorist logistics networks and movement corridors in the volatile border region,” he said.
Hasan Bala Abubakar, the chief of air staff, commended the gallantry of the troops and precision of the aircrew. He assured that the NAF will sustain intelligence-led operations “until terrorist threats to Nigeria’s sovereignty are eliminated.”
