Military Strikes ISWAP Enclaves In Lake Chad, Kills 16 Terrorists

The Nigerian military has intensified air operations against Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters around the Lake Chad region, with a reported strike killing 16 insurgents in the latest phase of its counterterrorism campaign.

The operation formed part of sustained efforts by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai to disrupt terrorist enclaves, restrict insurgent movements and weaken the group’s operational capacity in northeastern Nigeria.

Military operations in the Lake Chad basin have increasingly relied on intelligence-led air interdiction missions targeting suspected hideouts, fighter concentrations and logistics networks used by insurgents to sustain their activities.

The region, which borders Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon, remains a major theatre of operations against ISWAP and Boko Haram. The groups have exploited the area’s islands, waterways and difficult terrain to establish camps and move fighters and supplies.

In previous operations, Nigerian military aircraft have targeted suspected insurgent concentrations in the Southern Tumbuns and other areas around Lake Chad. A reported strike on May 28 targeted fighters in the Wulgo general area of Ngala Local Government Area, with intelligence reports indicating that 16 insurgents were killed.

Further strikes on May 30 reportedly targeted a terrorist camp at Arina Tai 3 in the Southern Tumbuns, where military assessments indicated that 13 fighters were killed.

The operations were intended to limit insurgents’ freedom of movement and disrupt the logistical networks that support their activities across the region.

The military has continued to coordinate aerial operations with ground forces and intelligence units to identify targets and assess the results of strikes. Such missions form part of broader efforts to prevent attacks on military positions and vulnerable civilian communities.

ISWAP has maintained a presence around Lake Chad despite years of military operations, with its fighters conducting attacks against security forces and imposing illegal levies on some residents and economic activities in areas under their influence.

Security operations in the region remain challenging because of the terrain, cross-border movements and the presence of multiple armed groups.

The military has reiterated its commitment to sustaining pressure on insurgent networks and disrupting their leadership, logistics and operational capabilities.

However, independent verification of casualty figures from individual airstrikes remains difficult in remote areas where access is restricted.