Troops of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation HADIN KAI, have killed several Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters, including a senior commander, a Shura Council member and two high-ranking Arab fighters, during an encounter in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
The operation took place on October 31, 2026, after ISWAP fighters launched an attack on military positions in the area.
The Acting Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, said troops repelled the assault through coordinated ground operations supported by air assets.
The military identified Abu Hajara as a high-profile member of ISWAP’s Shura Council, while Abul Walid was described as a prominent commander and close associate of the group’s overall leader, Ba Shuwa. Two other high-ranking Arab fighters were also killed during the engagement.
Captain Goni said troops recovered weapons, ammunition and communication devices following the encounter.
The operation came barely three days after another military engagement in Buni Yadi, where the military reported that 55 terrorists had been neutralised, including several key commanders.
The Theatre Command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting residents and sustaining operations against terrorist groups across the North-East.
The latest engagement forms part of ongoing military efforts to weaken ISWAP’s leadership and disrupt its operational networks in Borno and the wider Lake Chad region. Continued operations remain important to protecting communities affected by insurgency and restoring security across the region.
Leave a comment