Military airstrikes ‘kill ISWAP fighters, top commanders’ in Borno

Not less than 70 fighters of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) — including high-ranking commanders — have been reportedly killed in a series of airstrikes by a joint military operation in Borno state.  

Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, said the intelligence-led aerial and ground operation was conducted by the troops of Operation Hadin Kai, troops of Sector 3 Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and the special forces of sector 4 MNJTF of Niger Republic.

The publication said the troops, on Wednesday, had targeted the ISWAP’s strategic human and material capacity at Kusuma, Jibularam, and Kwalaram in Marte LGA of the state before striking. 

“Damage assessment confirmed the successful operation led to the elimination of more than 70 fighters, including high-ranking insurgents’ commanders, foot soldiers, and Hisbah police from the ISWAP faction,” Zagazola Makama said.

A source in the military told the publication that several vehicles, motorcycles, and weapons were destroyed during the airstrikes.

The source added that the attack on the group also triggered a massive displacement of the fighters with hundreds of them scampering for safety within Marte general area.

The military, over the recent months, has continued to launch offensives on terrorists’ hideouts in the north-east.