Nigerian military wipes out over 20 ISWAP fighters in deadly drone strike

More than 20 suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, have been killed after a precision drone strike by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI targeted one of the group’s logistics and assembly points in the Southern Lake Chad axis.

The development was disclosed by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency and security analyst covering the Lake Chad region.

According to the report, the airstrike was carried out on July 21 at Kila Bariya following credible intelligence indicating the presence of ISWAP fighters and strategic supplies at the location.

A fresh Battle Damage Assessment, BDA, reportedly confirmed that more than 20 insurgents were neutralised during the operation, while several others sustained serious injuries.

“The precision strike targeted a key terrorist logistics and assembly point following credible intelligence on the presence of fighters and strategic supplies in the area,” the report stated.

The assessment also revealed that more than 30 newly acquired motorcycles intended for future terrorist operations were destroyed during the strike.

According to the report, troops equally destroyed a major ISWAP food storage facility stocked with large quantities of beans and other food items allegedly confiscated or forcefully collected from farming communities across the Southern Lake Chad region.

Military sources described the operation as one of the most significant precision air engagements in recent weeks, saying it dealt a major blow to the terrorist group’s logistics and operational capabilities.

“The destruction of the motorcycles will significantly reduce the terrorists’ ability to conduct rapid raids and reinforcement across the difficult Lake Chad terrain, while the loss of the food stockpile will further degrade their capacity to sustain prolonged operations,” Makama added.

Makama reported that the latest strike is expected to affect ISWAP’s operations around Marte, Ngala and Dikwa Local Government Areas of Borno State, where the group has reportedly been attempting to regroup and expand its activities.

The report added that Operation HADIN KAI has continued its sustained air campaign, combining intelligence, surveillance and precision strikes to disrupt terrorist logistics, command structures and freedom of movement across the North-East.

Nigerian military wipes out over 20 ISWAP fighters in deadly drone strike