More than 20 suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) were reportedly killed during a joint air and ground offensive carried out by Nigerian forces with support from the United States in Borno State.
Military sources said the coordinated operation targeted insurgent hideouts in parts of the Lake Chad region, where ISWAP fighters were believed to be regrouping and planning attacks on civilian communities and security formations.
According to the sources, Nigerian Air Force fighter jets, supported by intelligence and surveillance assistance from US military partners, launched precision strikes on several camps used by the insurgents. Ground troops later advanced into the area to clear remaining pockets of resistance and recover weapons.
The operation was said to have taken place after intelligence reports indicated increased militant activity around key locations in northern Borno. Security officials stated that the strikes destroyed logistics bases, motorcycles, ammunition supplies, and communication equipment belonging to the group.
A senior military officer involved in the operation said the offensive dealt a major blow to ISWAP’s operational capacity in the region.
“The terrorists suffered significant casualties, and several of their structures were destroyed during the operation,” the officer reportedly said, adding that troops remain on clearance missions to track fleeing fighters.
Local sources in affected communities also confirmed hearing heavy aerial bombardments followed by gunfire as troops moved into the targeted areas.
Although official casualty figures have not been independently verified, security sources estimated that more than 20 insurgents were killed in the raid. There were no immediate reports of civilian casualties.
The latest offensive forms part of ongoing counter-terrorism operations aimed at weakening insurgent networks operating across the North-East. Nigerian authorities have in recent months intensified collaboration with international partners, particularly in intelligence gathering, aerial surveillance, and military training.
The insurgency in the North-East, driven by Boko Haram and its ISWAP faction, has persisted for over a decade, leaving thousands dead and displacing millions across Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states.
Military authorities have repeatedly stated that sustained offensives and improved regional cooperation are helping to limit the activities of armed groups in the Lake Chad basin. However, analysts warn that insurgents continue to exploit remote terrain and cross-border routes to stage attacks and evade security operations.
Residents in parts of Borno have continued to call for stronger security presence and humanitarian support as communities recover from years of violence and displacement.
