Nigerian Air Force strikes ISWAP hideout in Lake Chad, kills senior leaders

Operation Hadin Kai strike The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), operating under the Joint Task Force’s Operation Hadin Kai, launched a precision air strike on 19 October 2026 against a terrorist hideout in the Lake Chad region. The operation was described by the NAF as intelligence‑led and aimed at degrading the capabilities of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Targets and assets destroyed According to a statement from Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, the strike neutralised several prominent ISWAP fighters. Among those identified were Jindullah, who served as the chief security guard and close associate of ISWAP commander Abu Saleem, and Abul Kissa, a member of the group’s Shura Council. The post‑strike assessment also reported the destruction of logistical assets, including boat engines and motorcycles that the militants used for movement and operational activities. NAF officials said the loss of these resources would hinder the group’s ability to coordinate attacks and threaten vulnerable communities.

Official reactions Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, the Chief of the Air Staff, reiterated the NAF’s commitment to sustained air operations against terrorist networks. He highlighted the strike as evidence of the force’s resolve to protect the North‑East and to work closely with other security agencies to consolidate gains and advance lasting peace. The statement underscored the broader strategic goal of disrupting terrorist logistics and enhancing security across Nigeria’s North‑East region.

The operation, described as a significant setback to ISWAP’s operational capability, reflects ongoing efforts by Nigerian security forces to counter insurgent activity in the Lake Chad basin. While the NAF emphasized the precision and intelligence‑driven nature of the strike, no casualty figures beyond the named militants were released, and the statement did not mention civilian impact.

Overall, the air strike demonstrates the Nigerian military’s focus on targeted, high‑impact actions designed to weaken extremist groups while supporting broader stability initiatives in the region.