ISWAP SUFFERS MAJOR BLOW AS TROOPS ELIMINATE VIP ESCORT COMMANDER, OTHER FIGHTERS IN BORNO
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By: Muftau Fatimo
The Nigerian military has carried out airstrikes on Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) positions in Sambisa Forest, Borno State, killing a key VIP escort commander, Qaid Abu Khalid Al Muhajir, and eight other fighters.
Security expert Zagazola Makama disclosed this in a statement posted on X, saying the air operations were conducted on Saturday, August 8, 2026, around the Yuwe and Sabil Huda enclaves in Sambisa Forest.
According to Makama, the strikes were highly effective and inflicted significant casualties on the terrorist group.
He said Abu Khalid is a specialist responsible for providing escorts and coordinating the movement of senior ISWAP commanders and other high-value members of the terrorist group.
Khalid was reportedly highly familiar with navigation routes and tactical movements connecting major ISWAP enclaves, particularly roads used for the movement of senior commanders and special convoys.
His role reportedly made him an important facilitator of mobility within the terrorist group’s network, enabling senior members to move between enclaves while reducing the risk of interception by security forces.
According to Zagazola, nine ISWAP fighters were neutralised during the air strikes, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
He added that those killed included terrorist fighters allegedly linked to the group responsible for the ambush of Nigerian troops along the Bita–Yamtage axis in Gwoza Local Government Area.
Zagazola said preliminary intelligence indicated that the airstrikes may have disrupted a broader network of fighters involved in terrorist activities across Sambisa Forest and the Gwoza axis.
According to him, the death of Abu Khalid is considered a major blow to the group due to his reported knowledge of the terrain, routes and movement patterns used by ISWAP commanders and special convoys.
He noted that his elimination could undermine ISWAP’s ability to move senior operatives between its various enclaves, particularly in areas where security forces have intensified surveillance and military operations.
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