The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), under Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), has executed a precision airstrike that neutralised several high-ranking Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) commanders and fighters in the Lake Chad region.
According to a statement by Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF Headquarters, the air interdiction mission was conducted on July 27, 2025, targeting ARINA WOJE—a well-known ISWAP stronghold in the Southern Tumbuns of Borno State.
The strike followed a series of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) sorties which confirmed the re-emergence of terrorist activities in the area after internal clashes among rival factions. ISR data revealed renewed movement of ISWAP foot soldiers, reactivated insurgent structures, and the possible concealment of command centres and logistics hubs under heavy foliage.
On confirmation of these developments, NAF deployed air assets to engage designated targets with precision-guided munitions. The strike inflicted significant damage, destroying multiple structures used by ISWAP leaders and disrupting their operational and supply chains.
Preliminary battle damage assessments indicate a successful degradation of ISWAP’s leadership and logistics capabilities in the region. The operation is seen as part of NAF’s sustained efforts to deny terrorists safe havens, curtail their freedom of movement, and support ground forces in restoring stability in northeastern Nigeria.
This mission underscores the strategic importance of intelligence-led air power in modern counter-terrorism operations.
