Nigerian military says air strike destroys ISWAP logistics hub in Borno

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

The military says it has carried out a precision air strike targeting a suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) logistics hub in Jilli, Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State. The strike, conducted on 11 April under Operation Hadin Kai, followed intensified surveillance over the Bindul–Jilli corridor, which officials describe as a key route used by militants and their collaborators.

According to a statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer for Operation Hadin Kai, the strike was based on sustained intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions supported by human intelligence. He said the operation targeted a known enclave where fighters, logistics handlers and vehicles had converged, adding that the site was hit with high accuracy after a “rigorous and professional targeting process”.

Military authorities said the operation was launched amid renewed efforts to disrupt militant activity in the area following recent attacks on troops, including an improvised explosive device incident in January that killed eight soldiers, and coordinated assaults in Ngamdu and Benisheik earlier this month.

The statement said several fighters were killed in the strike, with vehicles and equipment destroyed, while surviving militants were seen fleeing. It added that intelligence indicated the group had been preparing logistics for further attacks on military positions in the Gubio axis.

Officials also confirmed the arrest of a suspected logistics courier, identified as “Turja Bulu”, in Ngamdu on 12 April. He is reported to have admitted involvement in a recent attack and to have been transporting supplies to other fighters in the Magumeri–Gubio area.

The military said the operation had disruptedplanned attacks and weakened militant capabilities, reiterating a ban on motorcycle movements across parts of the north-east due to their use by insurgents. It added that operations would continue until armed groups are dismantled and stability restored in the region.