A Nigerian Air Force Remotely Piloted Aircraft conducted intelligence and surveillance over the Sambisa Forest before military forces launched the precision strike that killed nine ISWAP fighters, including senior commander Abu Khalid Al Muhajir, in Borno State. The operation took place on Saturday, August 8, 2026.
ISWAP Commander's Death Disrupts Leadership Movements
The Nigerian Air Force says a precision airstrike in Sambisa Forest killed nine ISWAP fighters, including senior commander Abu Khalid Al Muhajir. The military believes the strike will disrupt ISWAP's leadership movements and weaken the group's operations in the North-East.
Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information at the NAF Headquarters, said the mission was intelligence-driven and relied on a Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) to monitor the terrorists before carrying out the strike. He said once the target was confirmed, the aircraft launched a precision strike.
The operation happened after security forces received credible intelligence about the movement of suspected terrorists inside the Sambisa Forest. The NAF says it has dealt another heavy blow to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) , killing nine fighters, including one of the group's key commanders, during a precision airstrike in Borno State.
Intelligence-Led Air Missions Intensify
The NAF also revealed that intelligence gathered after the operation linked some of the terrorists hit in the airstrike to those suspected to have carried out the recent ambush on Nigerian troops along the Bita-Yamtage axis in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. Military authorities said the latest operation highlights the growing impact of intelligence-led air missions, where persistent surveillance is combined with precision strikes to target terrorist movements with greater accuracy.
The military has continued to intensify air and ground operations across Nigeria's North-East as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle ISWAP and Boko Haram strongholds in Borno and neighbouring states.
Death of Abu Khalid Al Muhajir Weighs on ISWAP Operations
The Air Force identified the slain commander as Abu Khalid Al Muhajir, describing him as a high-ranking ISWAP operative who coordinated security escorts for senior leaders of the terrorist group. Nigerian Air Force personnel prepared operations in the North-East region, where air and ground missions neutralised nine ISWAP fighters linked to a recent troop ambush.
According to the military, Al Muhajir was also familiar with key routes, terrain and movement corridors linking major ISWAP enclaves across the Sambisa Forest and nearby areas. His death is expected to disrupt the group's operations and make it more difficult for top commanders to move around safely.
The NAF also said intelligence gathered after the operation linked some of the terrorists hit in the airstrike to those suspected to have carried out the recent ambush on Nigerian troops along the Bita-Yamtage axis in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
The military has continued to intensify air and ground operations across Nigeria's North-East as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle ISWAP and Boko Haram strongholds in Borno and neighbouring states. The ongoing operations aim to dismantle the terrorist groups and bring stability to the region.
Source: Pulse.ng
