The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, says it has killed nine fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province fighters, ISWAP, during an airstrike operation in the Sambisa Forest area of Borno State. 

 

The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Ehimen Ejodame, spoke on Sunday, saying the operation was conducted on Saturday, August 8, 2026, following credible intelligence on the activities and movement of suspected terrorists within the forest.

 

He said they identified and tracked a group of terrorists as they moved towards a suspected hideout which was then taken out during the operation. 

 

He said among those killed was an ISWAP commander, Abu Khalid Al Muhajir, who was responsible for providing special security escorts for the movement of senior members of the terrorist group.