Air Force strikes ISWAP hideout, kills terrorists in Lake Chad operation

The Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI has carried out a precision night airstrike on an Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) hideout in the Southern Lake Chad region, killing several terrorists during an intelligence-led operation.

Security sources said the strike followed sustained intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) that detected heightened terrorist activity around Arenna in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.

The operation was launched at about 10:35 p.m. on July 23 after intelligence indicated that about 50 motorcycles used by suspected terrorists were moving within the area.

According to the sources, the ISR platform maintained surveillance over the location before carrying out a precision strike on a building identified as a terrorist hideout.

A preliminary Battle Damage Assessment conducted after the operation indicated that all terrorists inside the targeted structure were killed, while three others outside the building also died in the strike.

The assessment further showed that three additional suspected terrorists fled the area after the attack, suggesting they survived the initial impact and attempted to escape.

Sources said the aircraft remained over the target area after the strike to monitor movements and engage any fleeing terrorists if necessary.

One security source described the operation as intelligence-driven and said the mission achieved its primary objective while surveillance continued to prevent surviving fighters from regrouping.

The latest strike is part of the ongoing air interdiction campaign by Operation HADIN KAI aimed at dismantling Boko Haram and ISWAP strongholds, disrupting their movement and limiting their operational capability across the Lake Chad region.