A fresh US-Nigeria air operation has killed at least 21 Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
The airstrike, carried out in collaboration with the United States Africa Command (US Africom), targeted a terrorist camp in Arege, a community within the Kukawa LGA.
According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, the operation took place on Saturday after intelligence and surveillance confirmed the presence of ISWAP fighters planning attacks in the Lake Chad region.
“The precision engagement resulted in the elimination of 21 terrorists and caused significant disruption to the operational capabilities of the criminal elements,” Makama quoted sources as saying.
The publication further reported that the strike was “intelligence-driven” and “carefully executed,” hitting the insurgents’ camp as they were allegedly preparing for assaults on isolated communities around the Lake Chad Basin.
Military authorities noted that the operation forms part of sustained US-Nigeria coordinated efforts to degrade terrorist networks, destroy their sanctuaries, and deny them freedom of action across the North-East theatre.
“The successful mission illustrates the growing synergy between Nigerian security forces and international partners in combating terrorism and enhancing regional security,” Makama reported.
The latest operation comes weeks after more than 20 ISIS/ISWAP fighters were killed in a series of joint US-Nigeria airstrikes in Metele, also in Borno State.
Security analysts say the repeated strikes are significantly weakening insurgent activities around the Lake Chad Basin, where remnants of terrorist groups continue attempts to regroup and launch attacks.
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