OPHK Air Strikes Kill 15 Terrorists, Including Two ISWAP Commanders, Destroy IED Hideout in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian military says air operations under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have neutralised 15 terrorists, including two prominent Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commanders, and destroyed a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) logistics hideout in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.
The operation, conducted at about 9:20 p.m. on October 28, 2026, targeted terrorist elements around Kerenoa, north of the area, following intelligence reports on their activities.
The Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Acting Media Information Officer, Capt. Mohammed Goni, in Maiduguri.
According to the statement, the operation involved armed reconnaissance and air interdiction missions by OPHK air assets as part of sustained intelligence-led offensive operations aimed at degrading terrorist capabilities and dismantling their networks across the theatre.
Goni said the mission followed intelligence reports indicating terrorist activities around Kerenoa, prompting the deployment of air assets to monitor the location.
During the operation, the air assets reportedly tracked two terrorists riding on a motorcycle to a makeshift structure beneath a tree.
Further surveillance subsequently revealed additional movements around the location, indicating the presence of other terrorist fighters.
The military said the air assets consequently engaged the target with precision strikes.
Following the engagement, Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) indicated that 15 terrorists had been neutralised, while structures at the location were destroyed.
The statement added that a secondary fire observed after the strikes suggested that the targeted structure might have been used as a terrorist logistics hub for storing IED materials.
The military further confirmed that two prominent ISWAP commanders, identified as Abu Musanna and Hassan Abu Huraira, were 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 have sustained critical injuries.
The military described the operation as part of its sustained intelligence-led air offensive against terrorist hideouts, logistics networks and operational capabilities across the North East.
It said the Joint Task Force would continue coordinated operations against terrorist elements in the region in pursuit of its mandate to restore lasting peace and security.
The statement reaffirmed OPHK’s commitment to sustaining pressure on terrorist groups through intelligence-driven operations and coordinated military action across the theatre.
