Nigerian Forces Kill 16 ISWAP Fighters in Lake Chad Strikes

Operation Hadin Kai kills 16 ISWAP fighters

Nigerian forces engaged in Operation Hadin Kai executed synchronized aerial and cannon fire against three suspected ISWAP sites within the Tunbunma region of southern Lake Chad on Monday, 26 October 2026. These strikes were conducted during the early morning hours starting at 1 a.m.m. and 2 a.m., resulted in the neutralisation of 16 fighters, according to a statement from the Acting Military Information Officer, Captain Mohammed Goni, of the Joint Task Force (North‑East). The statement, released on the same day, noted that the operation was prompted by intelligence reports indicating the presence of key ISWAP leaders and fighters in the area. Among the identified victims were Abu Zubiru, a citizen of Arab origin, along with his companions Baana Nglewa and Jindullah Sadiq. Abu Saleem, described as the Wali of Tunbunma, was reported to have sustained severe injuries, along with seven other fighters. The armed forces described this operation as a continuous campaign to dismantle extremist groups in the Lake Chad Basin, asserting that terrorists have nowhere to hide.

Background

Operation Hadin Kai is a joint task force established to counter insurgent activity in Nigeria’s North‑East region. Previously, on 9 May 2026, the joint task force successfully defended the 120 Task Force Battalion in Gonori, Borno State, against a nocturnal assault by ISWAP. That engagement involved troops detecting the advancing terrorists from the Mandunari axis around midnight and engaging them in a coordinated defensive operation. The Lake Chad Basin has long been a focus for Nigerian security forces due to the presence of various militant groups, including ISWAP. The recent strikes follow a pattern of intelligence‑led operations aimed at disrupting the organisation’s leadership and operational bases.

Why it matters

The killing of 16 ISWAP fighters, including senior figures, represents a significant blow to the group’s operational capacity in the region. The injured Wali of Tunbunma, Abu Saleem, and seven other fighters may still pose a threat if they recover. The operation underscores the Nigerian military’s commitment to restoring peace and normalcy in the North‑East and highlights the importance of credible intelligence and public cooperation in counter‑terrorism efforts. The strikes also demonstrate the military’s use of combined air and ground weaponry to target insurgent enclaves, a tactic that has been employed in previous engagements such as the May 2026 repulsion of an ISWAP attack.

What happens next

The Joint Task Force has not announced any immediate follow‑up operations. Nevertheless, the official communication encouraged civilians to share accurate and prompt intelligence with security bodies to aid current counter-terrorism initiatives. No further details on subsequent actions or dates were provided in the sources.