Military air strikes reportedly killed 103 terrorists in Borno and Adamawa between October 10 and 18, 2026, according to Operation Hadin Kai.
The operations formed part of the ongoing campaign under Operation Hadin Kai, which targets terrorist fighters, their commanders and the facilities that support their activities across the region. According to military reports, the strikes hit several suspected terrorist locations and disrupted logistics networks used by insurgents to sustain their operations.
Captain Mohammed Goni, the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, provided details of the operations, including the locations targeted and the reported losses suffered by the groups. The military described the results as a significant development in its efforts to weaken insurgent networks and reduce their ability to threaten communities.
However, the reported figure of 103 casualties represents the military’s assessment, and independent verification of the total number of people killed has not been established. The report nevertheless highlights the continued reliance on air operations as part of Nigeria’s wider security response to the insurgency.
Military Air Strikes Target Insurgent Positions Across Two States
The military said its air operations covered several locations in Borno State, where insurgent groups have maintained a presence despite sustained security operations. The reported targets included Gudumbali and Mairari in Guzamala Local Government Area, as well as Badu and Arina Woje in Monguno Local Government Area.
The military also reported a strike on a location east of Badu, extending the operations across areas considered important to insurgent movements and activities. In Adamawa State, the air campaign targeted a location in Duste Uku, within Gombi Local Government Area.
These locations formed part of the broader operational effort to identify and attack suspected terrorist positions while disrupting the networks that allow armed groups to organise and maintain their activities. The military’s account indicated that the strikes focused on both fighters and facilities associated with their operations.
Among those reportedly killed were individuals identified as members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), an armed group responsible for attacks in parts of Nigeria’s North-East and the wider Lake Chad region.
The military identified one of the reported casualties as Jindullah, whom it described as a senior ISWAP fighter and chief security guard to Abu Saleem. Another individual, Abul Kissa, was identified as a member of the group’s Shura Council, a body associated with its leadership and decision-making structure.
The reported deaths of individuals described as senior figures could affect the group’s ability to coordinate activities and maintain its internal command structure. Nevertheless, the extent of any operational impact will depend on further developments and information that can be independently established.
Air Operations Reportedly Destroy Terrorist Logistics Equipment
Beyond the reported casualties, the military said the air strikes destroyed facilities and equipment linked to terrorist logistics, including storage locations and infrastructure used to support insurgent operations.
The reported losses included nine boat engines and several motorcycles, alongside logistics hubs and storage facilities. Equipment of this nature can support transportation, the movement of supplies and operations across difficult terrain, making its destruction a potential setback for groups that depend on these resources.
The military’s account suggests that the operations sought to weaken the infrastructure behind insurgent activities rather than concentrate solely on individual fighters. By targeting logistics facilities and equipment, security forces aim to make it more difficult for armed groups to transport supplies, move between locations and sustain prolonged operations.
However, the extent to which the reported destruction will affect future attacks remains uncertain, as insurgent groups may attempt to replace damaged equipment or adapt their methods of operation.
Operation Hadin Kai continues to coordinate military efforts against insurgent groups in the North-East, where insecurity has affected residents, disrupted livelihoods and created continuing humanitarian challenges. Air strikes remain one part of a broader security response that also depends on intelligence gathering, ground operations and cooperation with affected communities.
Although the military has reported substantial results from the latest operations, casualty claims and assessments of destroyed equipment require careful attribution. Further information about the operations and their longer-term effects will help establish how significantly they have weakened the groups targeted.
For residents of Borno and Adamawa, the central concern remains whether sustained security operations can reduce attacks, improve freedom of movement and create safer conditions for communities affected by years of insurgency. The reported air strikes represent the military’s latest account of progress, but lasting improvements in security will depend on continued efforts to prevent attacks and stabilise affected areas.
