25 terrorists killed as army crushes coordinated ISWAP assault in Nigeria

Troops of the Nigerian Army’s Operation Hadin Kai have successfully crushed a coordinated multi-directional assault by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Kukawa, Borno State.

According to an official statement issued on 7 October 2026 by Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer of Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai, the terrorists launched a large-scale attack on troops of the 101 Special Forces Battalion from four different flanks.

The soldiers responded with superior firepower, tactical manoeuvres and effective coordination. Supported by the Air Component, they overwhelmed the assailants, inflicted heavy casualties and forced the surviving fighters to flee in disarray.

A preliminary assessment indicates that more than 25 terrorists were neutralised, with 14 bodies recovered so far. During follow-up operations, troops recovered a cache of arms and ammunition, including six AK-47 rifles. Further searches are ongoing to recover additional weapons and track fleeing elements to prevent them from regrouping.

The Army confirmed that some soldiers lost their lives in the encounter. It expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the fallen heroes, describing their sacrifice as an enduring testament to their service to the nation.

The statement highlighted the combat readiness and resilience of Nigerian troops in the North East theatre, as well as the growing effectiveness of air-ground synergy and joint operations in disrupting terrorist activities.

The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining pressure on terrorists and other criminal elements through aggressive patrols, intelligence-led operations and coordinated actions with other security agencies.