The Nigerian military has announced the killing of 15 terrorists, including two high-profile Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commanders, in an airstrike targeting a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) logistics hub in Borno State.
The operation was conducted by air assets of the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, at about 9:20 p.m. on October 28, 2026, during an armed reconnaissance and air interdiction mission north of Kerenoa in Marte Local Government Area of the state.
A statement issued on Thursday by the Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Captain Mohammed Goni, said the operation followed intelligence reports on terrorist activities in the area.
According to the statement, military aircraft tracked two terrorists riding a motorcycle to a makeshift structure beneath a tree. Further surveillance reportedly revealed additional movements around the location, suggesting the presence of other fighters.
The military subsequently engaged the target with precision strikes.
A post-strike battle damage assessment indicated that 15 terrorists were killed and structures at the location destroyed. A secondary fire observed after the strikes also suggested that the site might have been used to store materials supporting terrorist IED operations.
The military identified two prominent ISWAP commanders, Abu Musanna and Hassan Abu Huraira, among those killed in the operation.
Several other fighters were reportedly severely wounded, including the ISWAP Wali, or governor, of the area, who was said to be in critical condition.
The military described the operation as part of its sustained intelligence-led offensive to weaken terrorist capabilities, disrupt their hideouts and dismantle their logistics networks across the North-East.
It added that Operation Hadin Kai would continue coordinated operations against terrorist groups in the region as part of efforts to restore lasting peace and security.
