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Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) in Maiduguri have neutralised eight suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters in an airstrike in the Timbuktu Triangle of Borno State.
During the operation, the presence of suspected terrorists were present at Thethangala, within the Timbuktu Triangle, a known area of insurgent activity.
On Wednesday, the strike was conducted at about 9:56 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, after an aircraft established the target overhead.
According to sources, the aircraft identified eight suspected terrorists who had gathered and were preparing to launch an attack on Nigerian troops in the area.
The suspected fighters were subsequently engaged in a precision airstrike.
“Battle Damage Assessment shows all the terrorists neutralised, with no further movement observed after the strike,” the sources said.
Zagazola Makama, a security analyst and counter-insurgency expert, also corroborated the operation.
The Timbuktu Triangle is known as a significant operational area for ISWAP activities, with terrorists using parts of the axis to regroup and launch attacks against military positions and communities.
The latest operation is part of the ongoing efforts by Operation Hadin Kai to disrupt terrorist formations, logistics networks and planned attacks across the North-East.
The military has intensified coordinated ground and air operations in areas where insurgents are attempting to regroup and regain operational footholds.
The military high command has continued to urge troops to sustain offensive operations against terrorist elements while maintaining operational readiness across the theatre.
