At least 40 fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have reportedly been killed in coordinated Nigerian military airstrikes in Borno State.
The operation was carried out by troops under Operation Hadin Kai around Wulgo–Momaduru in Ngala Local Government Area of the state.
According to security reports, the airstrikes took place in the early hours of Tuesday, 10 November 2026, following intelligence surveillance that identified a large gathering of suspected ISWAP fighters about 1.5 kilometres north-west of Wulgo–Momaduru.
The intelligence reportedly prompted the military to launch an air operation aimed at disrupting the gathering and preventing possible attacks.
During the first phase of the operation, a precision airstrike targeted an identified position occupied by the fighters. A post-strike assessment indicated that approximately 30 ISWAP members were killed, while a motorcycle was also destroyed.
Multiple secondary explosions were reportedly observed following the attack, suggesting that explosives or other combustible materials may have been present at the location.
As the operation continued, surviving fighters were reportedly seen fleeing the initial strike location, with some taking cover beneath trees in the surrounding area.
However, military surveillance reportedly tracked their movements and identified another concentration of fighters.
Following the necessary authorisation, a second precision airstrike was launched against the location. The subsequent assessment indicated that an additional 10 fighters had been killed, bringing the reported death toll from the operation to 40.
The operation is considered a setback for ISWAP’s activities around the Wulgo–Momaduru axis, an area of strategic importance to military operations in the Lake Chad region.
Security analyst Zagazola Makama, who reported the operation, said the strikes demonstrated the importance of intelligence gathering, aerial surveillance and precision targeting in disrupting terrorist activities.
The Wulgo–Momaduru axis remains an important operational area for security forces, as insurgent groups continue to exploit remote settlements and difficult terrain to maintain their presence in the North-East.
The latest operation forms part of ongoing military efforts under Operation Hadin Kai to weaken Boko Haram and ISWAP networks, restrict their movements and prevent attacks against military formations and civilian communities.
However, the reported casualty figures have been attributed to security sources cited in the initial report. No separate official military statement confirming the 40 deaths had been identified at the time of reporting.
