Troops kill ‘over 35’ ISWAP terrorists in Borno

The operation happened after ISWAP fighters attempted to
attack military positions in Kumshe early Saturday.

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency
publication, the insurgents, advancing from the Gulumba Gana axis, launched an
assault but were repelled by intense fire from the Nigerian troops.

Preliminary reports indicated that ISWAP suffered heavy
losses, with at least 35 fighters killed.

The publication added that some injured insurgents were
evacuated to the Zangeri camp near Gulumba Gana, while others were buried or
left on the battlefield due to the swift military response.

The military, however, also sustained casualties, with one
soldier killed and two others injured.

Meanwhile, to reinforce the ground troops, the NAF conducted
precision air strikes targeting terrorist assembly points near the
Nigeria-Cameroon border.

These strikes were said to have disrupted ISWAP’s
operational capabilities and prevented further reinforcements.

In a statement, Ehimen Ejodame, NAF’s director of public
relations and information, said the air strikes executed terrorists in four
major camps near Kumshe.

He confirmed that communication with ground forces after the
operation showed the area had been stabilised.

“The latest operation demonstrates the Nigerian Air Force’s
unwavering commitment to providing close air support to ground troops, while
also disrupting terrorist logistics networks and movement corridors in the
volatile border region,” he said.

Hasan Bala Abubakar, chief of air staff, praised the troops’
bravery and the precision of the aircrew, assuring that the NAF will continue
intelligence-driven operations until terrorist threats to Nigeria’s sovereignty
are eliminated.