Nigerian Military Drone Strike Kills 15 ISWAP Terrorists in Marte, Targets Hidden Vehicles
By Zagazola Makama
A precision airstrike by the Nigerian military has neutralised an estimated 15 suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists during an intelligence-led operation in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the strike was carried out at about 5:35 a.m. on July 21 after credible intelligence indicated the presence of terrorists around KLA Balia in Marte LGA.
According to the sources, an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform, codenamed Guardian, was deployed over the area and identified three vehicles concealed at separate hideouts.
Further surveillance revealed several structures in the vicinity, where five terrorists were observed taking cover under a tree.
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Following positive identification, the drone engaged the target with a precision strike, eliminating the five visible terrorists and triggering secondary effects that resulted in an estimated total of 15 insurgents being neutralised.
After conducting a battle damage assessment (BDA), the ISR platform observed the three vehicles still concealed beneath different trees and attempted a follow-up precision strike to destroy them.
However, intelligence sources said the second engagement did not achieve the desired effect due to a laser targeting system malfunction, which prevented accurate target designation.
Despite the technical setback, the operation was assessed as a significant success, having inflicted substantial casualties on the terrorist group and disrupted its activities in the area.
Military sources said surveillance and intelligence monitoring of the location are continuing, while additional operations may be conducted to target surviving terrorists and destroy the remaining vehicles.
The latest strike forms part of the ongoing air interdiction campaign by Operation HADIN KAI aimed at dismantling terrorist enclaves, disrupting logistics and eliminating insurgent leadership across the Lake Chad region and the wider North-East theatre.