Troops Kill Top ISWAP Shura Council Member, Commander, Arab Fighters as Kukawa Attack Fails

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, have dealt a major blow to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), killing several terrorists, including a high-profile member of the group’s Shura Council, during a fierce battle in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.

The Acting Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday in Maiduguri, saying the operation took place on October 31, 2026, after terrorists launched a massive attack on troops’ positions in Kukawa.

He said those neutralised included Abu Hajara, a senior member of the ISWAP Shura Council, Abul Walid, a prominent commander and close associate of ISWAP leader Ba Shuwa, as well as two high-ranking Arab fighters.

According to Captain Goni, the troops, backed by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI, successfully repelled the attack with coordinated ground and air operations, inflicting heavy casualties on the terrorists.

He added that troops recovered a large cache of arms, ammunition and communication equipment abandoned by the fleeing terrorists after the encounter.

Captain Goni said the latest victory came barely three days after troops crushed another terrorist attack in Buni Yadi, where 55 terrorists, including key commanders such as Ali Mandara Abba Gajiri (Munzir), Habu Ikkima, Nakif Yana Faruk and Commander Gogore, were neutralised.

He noted that the back-to-back successes highlight the combat readiness, vigilance and superior firepower of Operation HADIN KAI troops in sustaining pressure on terrorist groups across the North-East theatre.

The Theatre Command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting law-abiding citizens and vowed to continue aggressive operations aimed at eliminating terrorists and destroying their camps across the region.