Troops neutralise 16 ISWAP fighters in air, artillery strikes in Lake Chad

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised 16 suspected Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, fighters during coordinated air and artillery strikes on three suspected terrorist locations in the Tunbunma area of southern Lake Chad.

The operation was conducted between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. on Monday, October 26, 2026, following intelligence reports about the presence of terrorist leaders and fighters in the area.

The Acting Military Information Officer at the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Monday.

Goni said the military’s battle damage assessment indicated that 16 fighters were neutralised across the three targeted locations.

Among those reportedly killed were Abu Zubiru, described as an Arab national, and two associates identified as Baana Nglewa and Jindullah Sadiq.

The statement added that Abu Saleem, identified as the Wali of Tunbunma, sustained severe injuries alongside seven other fighters.

The military said the operation formed part of ongoing efforts to disrupt terrorist networks in the Lake Chad Basin.

It urged members of the public to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to support counter-terrorism operations.