By Samuel Ike, Abuja

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have killed 16 suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in coordinated air and artillery strikes on three suspected terrorist locations in the Tunbunma area of southern Lake Chad.

The operation was conducted between 1am and 2am on Monday, October 26, 2026, following intelligence reports indicating the presence of key terrorist commanders and other fighters in the area.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni.

According to the statement, troops deployed air and ground based weapon systems to engage the identified locations, resulting in significant casualties among the suspected terrorist fighters.

The military said its battle damage assessment indicated that 16 ISWAP fighters were killed across the three targeted locations. Among those reportedly killed were Abu Zubiru, described as an Arab national, and his associates, Baana Nglewa and Jindullah Sadiq.

The statement further disclosed that Abu Saleem, identified as the Wali of Tunbunma, sustained severe injuries alongside seven other individuals during the offensive.

The military explained that the operation formed part of ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks operating within the Lake Chad Basin and prevent insurgents from using the area as a base for their activities.

Operation Hadin Kai reaffirmed its commitment to conducting intelligence led operations against terrorist groups in the North East, while urging members of the public to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to support counter terrorism efforts.

In a related development, troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, repelled a night attack by suspected ISWAP fighters on the 120 Task Force Battalion in Gonori, Borno State, in May 2026. The attackers reportedly advanced from the Mandunari axis around midnight on May 9 but were detected and engaged by troops in a coordinated defensive operation.