Recent ISWAP airstrikes in Borno State have dealt a significant blow to the terrorist group’s operational capabilities, leading to the recovery of a substantial cache of high-caliber ammunition by Nigerian troops. In a meticulously planned follow-up mission, soldiers of Operation Hadin Kai successfully combed through a recently targeted insurgent stronghold, confirming the devastating impact of the aerial bombardment and crippling the enemy’s ability to launch future attacks.
The operation highlights the continued success of the Nigerian military’s multi-pronged strategy in the Northeast, where relentless pressure is being applied to dismantle terrorist networks. The Banki axis, located in the Bama Local Government Area of Borno, has long been a strategic corridor for ISWAP, used for logistics, recruitment, and staging attacks on both military and civilian targets. Securing this area is paramount to restoring stability in the region and protecting vulnerable communities.
The chain of events began on September 18, 2025, when intelligence reports pinpointed key ISWAP positions in the vicinity of Banki and Bula Yobe. In response, the Nigerian Air Force executed a series of precise and coordinated aerial bombardments. The effectiveness of these ISWAP airstrikes in Borno was immediate, with post-strike assessments indicating that at least 32 insurgents were neutralized in the attack. This decisive action disrupted the command structure of the local ISWAP cell and created an opportunity for ground forces to move in.
Following the successful airstrikes, a ground exploitation mission was launched on September 19, 2025. Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, working in close collaboration with hybrid forces and the invaluable Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), were tasked with moving into the strike zone to conduct a thorough battle damage assessment and recover any enemy materials. According to renowned security analyst Zagazola Makama, this two-phase approach of air and ground power is crucial for confirming operational success and denying insurgents the chance to regroup or salvage their equipment.
During the sweep of the area, the ground patrol made several significant discoveries. The most critical was the recovery of a large cache of ammunition, which included:
A full box of 12.7mm x 108mm ammunition, typically used for heavy machine guns capable of targeting light-armored vehicles and aircraft.
A box of 7.62mm x 51mm NATO rounds, a standard caliber for powerful battle rifles used by insurgent fighters.
The recovery of this specific ammunition is a major victory, as it removes significant firepower from the hands of the terrorists, preventing potential future attacks. Alongside the ammunition, troops also found a bicycle and a woodland camouflage shirt, items that underscore the insurgents’ reliance on low-tech mobility and guerilla tactics to blend in with the local environment.
The patrol also uncovered evidence of the group’s heavy losses, discovering several shallow graves believed to contain the remains of insurgents killed during the ISWAP airstrikes in Borno. This finding confirms the high casualty count and indicates a desperate attempt by the survivors to conceal the true extent of their losses. However, the mission was not without its challenges. The difficult and rugged terrain prevented troops from accessing every single strike location, suggesting that the full scope of the damage to ISWAP might be even greater than what was confirmed.
This successful operation serves as a powerful testament to the sustained efforts of the Nigerian armed forces. Authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to continuing such operations to completely secure the Banki axis and its surrounding areas, ensuring that the pressure on ISWAP remains unrelenting.
