Military Airstrikes Kill Over 70 ISWAP Terrorists in Borno

The Nigerian military has intensified its fight against terrorism, eliminating more than 70 Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) members during airstrikes in Borno State. The Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai targeted ISWAP locations on Kwallaram and Arainna Ciki Islands on November 6, as confirmed by Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations.

“Our airstrikes hit ISWAP strongholds, resulting in over 70 terrorists killed at Kwallaram, with more casualties at Arainna Ciki,” said Maj.-Gen. Buba in a statement. He emphasized that these operations are part of the military’s ongoing efforts to eliminate extremist threats in the region.

Ground Troops’ Successes

In addition to the air campaign, ground troops achieved significant results throughout the week. According to Maj.-Gen. Buba, 169 terrorists were killed, and 641 suspects were arrested. Nigerian troops also rescued 181 hostages, signaling a major victory in counterterrorism operations.

“The week under review saw impressive results from our troops,” Buba noted. “They continue to demonstrate resilience and commitment to protecting the nation.”

Weapons and Ammunition Recovered

During their operations, troops recovered a large cache of weapons and ammunition. These included 192 assorted firearms, such as 106 AK-47 rifles, 38 fabricated rifles, and 26 dane guns. Other recovered items included one FN rifle, three locally made revolver pistols, and several pump-action guns. Troops also seized a dummy AK-47 rifle, unexploded RPG bombs, Baofeng radios, vehicles, motorcycles, and a total sum of N729,000.

“We recovered 2,970 assorted rounds of ammunition, including 1,410 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and over 1,000 rounds of 7.62mm NATO,” detailed Buba. These seizures weaken the operational capabilities of the terrorists.

Crackdown on Illegal Oil Activities

Meanwhile, troops stationed in the Niger Delta uncovered and dismantled 83 illegal refining sites. The crackdown also led to the destruction of 20 crude oil cooking ovens, dugout pits, boats, reservoirs, and storage tanks. The military recovered more than 914,445 liters of stolen crude oil and over half a million liters of illegally refined automotive gas oil (AGO).

“Troops also seized various items, including pumping machines, outboard engines, speedboats, motorcycles, and vehicles used for illegal refining,” Buba stated.

ISWAP’s Desperate Recruitment Drive

Maj.-Gen. Buba highlighted that the military’s operations have dealt a severe blow to ISWAP’s ranks. He warned that the terrorist group is now resorting to desperate measures, including recruiting on social media.

“Our continued offensives have disrupted their activities, forcing them into desperate recruitment,” he said. “We will sustain these operations to eliminate all threats.”

The military remains committed to protecting lives and restoring peace across affected regions, assuring Nigerians that ongoing efforts will dismantle terrorist networks and curb illegal activities.