Troops of the Nigerian military’s Operation HADIN KAI have neutralised several Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters, including a high-profile member of the group’s Shura Council, Abu Hajara, during a fierce encounter in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
The military also identified Abul Walid, a prominent ISWAP commander and close associate of the group’s overall leader, Ba Shuwa, as among those killed in the engagement, alongside two high-ranking Arab fighters.
The operation took place on October 31, 2026, when troops deployed in Kukawa repelled a large-scale attack on their positions by ISWAP terrorists.
According to the military, the troops deployed both ground and air assets during the encounter, overwhelming the attackers and inflicting heavy casualties on the terrorist group.
The engagement also resulted in the recovery of several weapons, ammunition and communication devices from the terrorists.
The military described the operation as a significant setback for ISWAP’s leadership and operational capacity, saying it demonstrated the combat readiness, vigilance and superior firepower of troops operating under Operation HADIN KAI.
The Kukawa attack came barely three days after another major military engagement in Buni Yadi, where the military said 55 terrorists had been neutralised as of November 1.
Among those reportedly killed in the Buni Yadi operation were key terrorist commanders identified as Ali Mandara Abba Gajiri, also known as Munzir; Habu Ikkima Nakif Yana Faruk; and Commander Gogore.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Media Information Officer at the Headquarters of Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, said the Theatre Command remained committed to protecting law-abiding residents and sustaining military operations against terrorist groups in the region.
The command reaffirmed its determination to dismantle terrorist camps and eliminate the threat posed by insurgents across the North-East.