Nigerian troops under Operation Hadin Kai, in collaboration with Nigerian Air Force (NAF), have killed more than 35 fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in a coordinated operation around Kumshe, a border community in Borno state.
Gatekeepers News reports that the clash occurred after ISWAP militants launched an early morning attack on military positions in Kumshe from the Gulumba Gana axis.
They were met with heavy resistance from ground forces, resulting in significant casualties. Preliminary assessments showed that over 35 insurgents were neutralised.
Some of the injured were reportedly evacuated to the Zangeri camp near Gulumba Gana, while others were either buried hastily or abandoned at the battlefield following the swift response of Nigerian troops.
The force also recorded casualties, with one soldier killed and two others injured during the encounter.
To support ground operations, NAF carried out precision air strikes on terrorist assembly points close to the Nigeria-Cameroon border.
These strikes destroyed four major ISWAP camps near Kumshe, disrupted their operational capabilities, and prevented reinforcements from arriving.
Ehimen Ejodame in a statement, noted that communication with ground forces after the raids confirmed that the area had been stabilised.
According to NAF, the operation reflects its continued commitment to providing close air support for ground troops, dismantling terrorist logistics networks, and blocking movement corridors in the volatile border zone.
The Chief of Air Staff, Hasan Bala Abubakar, commended the courage of the troops and the accuracy of the aircrew.
He reaffirmed that the force will sustain intelligence-driven operations until terrorist threats to Nigeria’s sovereignty are eliminated.
