Nigerian military air strikes have reportedly killed 103 Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters and destroyed several logistics facilities in Borno and Adamawa states during an eight-day offensive in the North-East.

The strikes were carried out between October 10 and 18 by troops of Operation Hadin Kai, the military’s joint task force operating in the region, according to a statement by its acting military information officer, Captain Mohammed Goni.

The operation involved Nigerian Army Aviation, the Nigerian Army Remotely Piloted Aircraft Regiment and other air component assets, which conducted seven strikes against terrorist positions, hideouts and logistics networks.

Goni said the targets included locations around Gudumbali in Guzamala Local Government Area, Badu and Mairari in Monguno, and Duste Uku in Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

A major operation took place on October 18, when military aircraft struck an alternative residence of Abu Saleem, whom the military identified as the ISWAP Wali of South Lake Chad, in the Arina Woje area of Monguno, Borno State.

According to the military, subsequent intelligence confirmed the deaths of Jindullah, reportedly Abu Saleem’s chief security guard, and Abul Kissa, a member of ISWAP’s Shura Council. Other prominent fighters were also said to have been killed in the strike.

The attack destroyed the targeted building and logistics assets, including nine boat engines and several motorcycles stored at the location, Goni said.

The military said the destruction of the facility disrupted the group’s ability to use the forested area as a hideout and a base for sustaining its operations.

Another major strike was conducted on October 13 after a Guardian air asset reportedly tracked 16 fighters from the Mairari axis to a gathering of more than 100 suspected terrorists accompanied by several motorcycles.

The gathering was located about 23 kilometres east of Badu and 19 kilometres west of Monguno, according to the military.

Goni said a subsequent precision strike killed an estimated 30 fighters at the gathering, although the extent of damage to the motorcycles could not be confirmed.

The other strikes targeted terrorist positions and facilities around Gudumbali, Badu, Mairari and Duste Uku.

The military said the seven operations collectively resulted in the reported deaths of 103 ISWAP fighters and the destruction of logistics hubs and storage facilities.

It added that the campaign was aimed at weakening the group’s operational capacity, disrupting its command structure and denying its fighters safe havens across the North-East.

Operation Hadin Kai said it would sustain coordinated operations against insurgent networks as security forces continue efforts to contain the threat posed by armed groups in the region.