LAKE CHAD: Troops Neutralise Over 30 ISWAP Members , Destroy Boats In Precision Strike

On Apr 23, 2026

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), in sustained offensive operations conducted in the night of 21/22 April 2026, delivered devastating precision air strikes that dismantled ISWAP terrorist logistics networks along the Lake Chad waterways around the Kaniram Island axis in Northern Borno State.

According to a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba , Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force. (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, while acting on credible Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) inputs, OPHK air assets established persistent overhead presence and confirmed the concentration of over 30 terrorist boats and associated terrorist elements coordinating movement and resupply activities.

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Uba said that target validation and positive identification were carefully achieved, ensuring high targeting fidelity prior to engagement.

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He added that “Following deliberate confirmation in line with Rules of Engagement, OPHK executed well-coordinated precision strikes that destroyed several boats and disrupted the terrorists’ logistics hub.

“This immediately degraded their mobility and ability to sustain operations. Real-time ISR enabled rapid follow-on strikes on fleeing and regrouping elements within nearby vegetation, leading to the neutralization of over 30 terrorists.

“Surviving elements were observed escaping in disarray, reflecting a breakdown in their cohesion and command structure.”he noted

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In a related engagement at Sowolwolo in the Sambisa Forest axis, the spokesman maintained that additional precision guided strikes was conducted following target fidelity acquisition with partners adding that the strike took out 3 terrorist gun trucks and neutralised more terrorists within the vicinity.

Battle Damage Assessment (BDA), supported by post-strike intelligence, confirmed significant enemy losses, with evidence of mass burial activities especially by ISWAP elements in the Mallam Fatori axis further underscoring the scale of attrition inflicted.

He pointed out that ground forces are currently exploiting the effects of these strikes to dominate adjoining areas and prevent any reconstitution by fleeing elements.

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“These operations highlight OPHK’s sustained offensive pressure and effective air–land integration in dismantling terrorist networks, degrading their capabilities, and denying them freedom of action across the Joint Operations Area. The Military High Command commends troops for the impressive battle performance and urged them to sustain aggressive operations to dominate the battlespace.

“OPHK will continue to maintain relentless pressure on all terrorist elements until they are decisively defeated.”