The Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI conducted a precision airstrike on a suspected gathering of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters in Yaganari, Borno State, early on July 17, as part of intensified military efforts to dismantle terrorist networks in the North-East. The operation, carried out after detailed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) activities, targeted a group of insurgents believed to be regrouping in the area. Military sources confirmed the strike was executed at approximately 12:32 a.m., following confirmation of the target and adherence to operational protocols.
Zagazola Makama, a respected counter-insurgency and security analyst covering the Lake Chad region, reported the development based on verified military sources. According to Makama, surveillance operations began after credible intelligence indicated suspicious movements in the Yaganari area. Aerial assets first detected four suspected terrorists moving through the region, with two of them leading surveillance teams to a secondary location where about 12 suspected ISWAP fighters had assembled.
The strike was launched only after thorough assessment and confirmation of the target, ensuring minimal risk to civilians and maximum operational effectiveness. Preliminary battle damage assessment revealed that an unconfirmed number of the suspected fighters were neutralised, while others scattered in different directions. Military surveillance aircraft remained overhead to monitor the fleeing suspects and identify potential follow-up targets, demonstrating a coordinated and persistent approach to counter-terrorism.
Military authorities described the operation as a key component of an intelligence-driven strategy aimed at disrupting ISWAP’s operational capacity, preventing regrouping, and degrading their ability to launch attacks. The airstrike is part of a broader air campaign under Operation HADIN KAI, which targets suspected terrorist enclaves, logistics hubs, and movement corridors across Borno State. This campaign supports ongoing ground operations by Nigerian military forces and regional partners in the fight against insurgency.
The use of ISR assets and precision strikes reflects the military’s growing emphasis on intelligence-based operations to reduce collateral damage and enhance mission success. The Yaganari strike underscores the continued threat posed by ISWAP in the region and the Nigerian Armed Forces’ commitment to neutralising terrorist threats through sustained and targeted action. As the military continues to expand its reach into remote and contested areas, such operations are expected to play a crucial role in restoring stability to the North-East.
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