The Defence Headquarters on Tuesday disclosed that 15 key leaders of the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) and scores of their fighters were killed by “massive airstrike” at Kirta Wulgo and Sabon Tumbun, 2 settlements on the fringes of the Lake Chad, Northeast region of the country.

Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, said in a statement that the killing of the terrorists took place on Monday at Kirta Wulgo, which serves as Administrative Headquarters and training camp for ISWAP.

According to the statement by General Enenche, “the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has taken another major scalp off the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) elements operating in the Island settlements of the Lake Chad in the Northern part of Borno State. This occurred yesterday, 24 August 2020, in massive simultaneous air strikes executed under the subsidiary Operation HAIL STORM at Kirta Wulgo and Sabon Tumbun, 2 settlements on the fringes of the Lake, where several key ISWAP leaders and scores of their fighters were killed.

“The missions were conducted on the heels of credible Human Intelligence (HUMINT) reports indicating that some ISWAP leaders and fighters had relocated to Sabon Tumbun due to the impact of the recent air strikes at the nearby Island settlement of Tumbuma Baba. Similarly, up to 15 high ranking ISWAP Commanders along with scores of their fighters were harboured at Kirta Wulgo, which serves as Administrative Headquarters and training camp for ISWAP.

“Accordingly, the Air Task Force dispatched an enhanced force package of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets and helicopter gunships to attack the 2 locations scoring devastating hits leading to the elimination of several of the terrorists. Prominent terrorists’ leaders, including Abu Imraana, ISWAP Naval Commander, as well as Mallam Ibrahim and Mallam Abba, are believed to be among the many ISWAP casualties.”