The Nigerian military has reportedly disrupted the movement network of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, after air strikes in Borno State killed a senior commander and eight other fighters.
The operation, carried out on Saturday, August 8, 2026, targeted ISWAP positions around the Yuwe and Sabil Huda enclaves in the Sambisa Forest, according to security expert Zagazola Makama.
Makama identified one of the casualties as Qaid Abu Khalid Al Muhajir, a senior ISWAP operative reportedly responsible for escorting high-ranking commanders and coordinating their movement across the group’s strongholds.
Abu Khalid was said to have possessed extensive knowledge of routes linking ISWAP enclaves, making him an important figure in the group’s logistics and security arrangements.
The security expert said his responsibilities included facilitating the movement of senior commanders and special convoys through routes considered vulnerable to interception by security forces.
Eight other ISWAP fighters were also reportedly killed in the strikes, while several others sustained injuries.
Some of the casualties were said to be members of the faction allegedly involved in the ambush of Nigerian troops along the Bita-Yamtage axis in Gwoza Local Government Area.
Makama said the operation could have wider implications for ISWAP’s activities in the Sambisa Forest and Gwoza axis, particularly its ability to move senior operatives between enclaves.
He noted that the elimination of Abu Khalid could weaken the group’s internal mobility system because of his reported familiarity with terrain, routes and movement patterns used by ISWAP commanders.
The latest operation adds to ongoing military efforts to disrupt terrorist networks in the North-East by targeting their fighters, command structures and logistical channels.
Security operations are expected to continue across the affected areas as troops intensify efforts to restrict the activities and movement of terrorist groups operating in Borno State.
