The Nigerian Air Force has killed nine Islamic State West Africa Province fighters, including a senior commander responsible for escorting senior terrorist leaders, in a precision airstrike in Borno State.

The operation, conducted on Saturday, August 8, 2026, targeted ISWAP positions around the Yuwe and Sabil Huda enclaves in the Sambisa Forest.

Among those killed was Qaid Abu Khalid Al Muhajir, an ISWAP commander originally from Maiduguri metropolis, whom the NAF described as responsible for providing special security escorts for the movement of senior members of the terrorist group.

The NAF said it deployed a Remotely Piloted Aircraft to conduct persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance operations, which enabled the tracking of a group of terrorists moving towards a suspected hideout. Following positive identification and confirmation of the target, the aircraft carried out a precision strike on the location.

“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,” Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF Headquarters, said in a statement on Sunday.

Further intelligence received after the strike confirmed that nine ISWAP fighters were killed, while several others sustained injuries.

Abu Khalid was a specialist responsible for providing escorts and coordinating the movement of senior ISWAP commanders and other high-value members of the terrorist group. He was reportedly highly familiar with navigation routes and tactical movements connecting major ISWAP enclaves, particularly routes used for the movement of senior commanders and special convoys.

“Among those reportedly neutralised was Abu Khalid Al Muhajir, described as a prominent ISWAP commander responsible for providing special security escorts for the movement of senior members of the terrorist group. His elimination represents a significant operational setback for ISWAP, particularly given his reported knowledge of routes, terrain and tactical movements connecting major terrorist enclaves within the Sambisa Forest and surrounding areas,” Ejodame said.

Intelligence sources said some of the fighters affected by the strike were linked to elements suspected of involvement in the recent ambush of Nigerian troops along the Bita-Yamtage axis in Gwoza Local Government Area.

“Beyond the immediate casualties, the operation is expected to disrupt ISWAP’s leadership protection arrangements, movement of high-value personnel and coordination of activities across its enclaves,” Ejodame added.

The development comes amid intensified military operations aimed at dismantling terrorist command structures and denying ISWAP and Boko Haram elements freedom of movement across Borno State.

The NAF said it would continue to conduct intelligence-led and precision air operations in coordination with ground forces to degrade terrorist capabilities and improve security for communities in the North-East.