More than 20 suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, have been killed after a precision drone strike by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI targeted one of the group’s logistics and assembly points in the Southern Lake Chad axis.

The development was disclosed by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency and security analyst covering the Lake Chad region.

According to the report, the airstrike was carried out on July 21 at Kila Bariya following credible intelligence indicating the presence of ISWAP fighters and strategic supplies at the location.

A fresh Battle Damage Assessment, BDA, reportedly confirmed that more than 20 insurgents were neutralised during the operation, while several others sustained serious injuries.

“The precision strike targeted a key terrorist logistics and assembly point following credible intelligence on the presence of fighters and strategic supplies in the area,” the report stated.

The assessment also revealed that more than 30 newly acquired motorcycles intended for future terrorist operations were destroyed during the strike.

According to the report, troops equally destroyed a major ISWAP food storage facility stocked with large quantities of beans and other food items allegedly confiscated or forcefully collected from farming communities across the Southern Lake Chad region.

Military sources described the operation as one of the most significant precision air engagements in recent weeks, saying it dealt a major blow to the terrorist group’s logistics and operational capabilities.

“The destruction of the motorcycles will significantly reduce the terrorists’ ability to conduct rapid raids and reinforcement across the difficult Lake Chad terrain, while the loss of the food stockpile will further degrade their capacity to sustain prolonged operations,” Makama added.

Makama reported that the latest strike is expected to affect ISWAP’s operations around Marte, Ngala and Dikwa Local Government Areas of Borno State, where the group has reportedly been attempting to regroup and expand its activities.

The report added that Operation HADIN KAI has continued its sustained air campaign, combining intelligence, surveillance and precision strikes to disrupt terrorist logistics, command structures and freedom of movement across the North-East.

Troops of the 112 Task Force Battalion under Operation HADIN KAI, working alongside Hybrid Forces, have arrested five suspected terrorist logistics suppliers during a security operation in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State.

The military disclosed this in a statement posted on X, saying the operation, conducted at about 1:30 p.m. on July 20, 2026, targeted a suspected logistics network believed to be supporting terrorist activities in the North-East.

It disclosed that the suspects were intercepted while transporting 491 cartons of Albe Stark 2.5 per cent veterinary dewormer and 100 cartons of multivitamin injections for animals without the required waybills or supporting documentation.

According to  the military, a subsequent search of the vehicles uncovered additional concealed medical supplies, including 32 cartons of Diclofenac Sodium Injection, 58 cartons of Benzylpenicillin Sodium BP, six cartons of Dexamethasone Injection, and 51 cartons of Metronidazole Intravenous Infusion.

The Armed Forces reiterated that troops also recovered 30 units of 80-inch LG plasma televisions, 152 empty Bagco sacks, and seven mobile phones.

It said preliminary investigations indicate that the consignment was destined for a vendor in N’Djamena, Chad, while part of the concealed medical supplies was to be transferred to another truck near the Nigeria-Chad border in what investigators believe was an attempt to evade security checks.

The military further said that the suspects have been handed over to the 24 Task Force Brigade for further investigation, describing the interception as another significant success in Operation HADIN KAI’s ongoing campaign to dismantle terrorist logistics and support networks across the North-East.

“Disrupting suspicious supply chains and intercepting materials before they reach their intended destinations remains critical to denying terrorist groups the resources needed to sustain their operations and limiting their freedom of movement.

“We reaffirm our commitment to identifying and dismantling all networks that directly or indirectly support terrorist activities.

“We urge pharmaceutical distributors, transporters, healthcare providers, humanitarian organisations and other stakeholders transporting bulk medical, pharmaceutical or agrochemical products within the North-East to ensure their consignments are properly documented and, where necessary, coordinated with relevant military authorities,” the military said.

Residents of several communities in Ugboju District of Otukpo Local Government Area, Benue State, have abandoned their homes after a fresh armed attack claimed the life of a 15-year-old boy, left one person missing and led to the rustling of hundreds of cattle.

The attack reportedly occurred around 7:00 a.m. on Monday in Olahimu village, where gunmen allegedly targeted cattle belonging to the family of the late Ardo Risku Muhammad, who was killed in a similar incident a few weeks earlier.

In a statement released on behalf of the family, Muhammed Idris disclosed that his younger brother, Muhammad Isiyaku, 15, was fatally shot during the assault. He explained that although four people earlier reported missing were later found, one labourer, Saidu Musa, is still unaccounted for.

Idris further stated that the attackers made away with about 500 cattle. He said a number of the animals were later recovered during a search around the Okwudu axis, while several were found dead and many others remain missing.

According to the family, the incident was reported to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ogoli Ugboju, who visited the scene with officers as investigations commenced.

Confirming the incident, Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, said he immediately contacted the District Head and the Divisional Police Officer after receiving a distress call from Idris while the attack was still in progress.

He explained that security operatives and local youths were mobilised to the community, but by the time they arrived, one victim had already been killed and the attackers had escaped with the cattle.

Ogiri lamented the increasing insecurity in the area, recalling that armed men had recently invaded a ranch in Jericho village, Ugboju, rustled cattle and launched attacks on nearby communities.

He added that the latest assault has forced many residents to flee their homes for fear of further attacks.

The council chairman, however, assured residents that security had been strengthened, noting that additional police officers and other security personnel were currently operating across Otukpo Local Government Area.

The bereaved family appealed to the Benue State Government, the police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the missing labourer, recover the remaining cattle and improve security in Olahimu, Ogoli Ugboju and neighbouring border communities.

They also called on members of the public with useful information to support security agencies in identifying and apprehending those responsible.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Udeme Edet, said she was yet to receive details of the incident.