Troops of the Joint Task Force, North East, Operation Hadin Kai, have killed several Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters, including two senior commanders and two high-ranking Arab members, during an encounter in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
The military said the engagement took place on October 31, 2026, after ISWAP fighters launched a major attack on troops’ positions in the area.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Acting Military Information Officer of the Northeast Joint Task Force, Captain Mohammed Goni, said the troops repelled the assault through coordinated ground operations supported by air assets from the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai.
Among those reportedly killed were Abu Hajara, identified as a high-profile member of ISWAP’s Shura Council, and Abul Walid, described as a prominent commander and close associate of Ba Shuwa, the group’s overall Wali.
The military also identified two other casualties as high-ranking Arab fighters, although their names were not disclosed.
Following the engagement, troops recovered several weapons, ammunition and communication devices from the area.
The military described the operation as part of its sustained campaign to weaken terrorist networks and restrict their operational activities across the North-East.
The Kukawa encounter occurred barely three days after another reported confrontation in Buni Yadi, where the military said 55 terrorists were neutralised. The casualties in that operation reportedly included commanders identified as Ali Mandara Abba Gajiri, also known as Munzir, Habu Ikkima Nakif Yana Faruk and Commander Gogore.
The Theatre Command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting residents and sustaining operations against terrorist groups and their camps across the region.
While the military’s announcement points to casualties among ISWAP’s leadership, the full operational impact of the encounter has not been independently established.
Deborah Adeyefa
