The Nigerian Army says its troops killed more than 25 Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters in Kukawa, Borno State. The militants attacked the 101 Special Forces Battalion from four directions. Troops supported by the Air Component repelled them. Fourteen bodies were recovered. Surviving fighters fled. Troops recovered weapons and ammunition, including six AK-47 rifles. The Army said further searches were ongoing. It also confirmed that some soldiers were killed during the encounter.
ISWAP split from Boko Haram in 2016. It has become the dominant insurgent group in the Lake Chad Basin. It controls territory in Borno, Yobe and the Niger Republic. It attacks military bases, convoys and civilians. The Nigerian military has conducted multiple operations against it. In 2023, troops killed several commanders. In 2024, ISWAP launched a series of attacks on military positions. The group remains resilient. It recruits from displaced populations and exploits security gaps.
The attack occurred in Kukawa. The militants came from four directions. The 101 Special Forces Battalion defended its position. Air support was called in. The ISWAP fighters were overwhelmed. Fourteen bodies were recovered. Others fled with injuries. Six AK-47 rifles were seized. The Army said further operations were ongoing to recover more weapons and prevent regrouping. It expressed condolences to the families of soldiers killed. It did not disclose the number of military casualties.
The operation is a tactical success. It weakens ISWAP’s capability in the area. It also boosts military morale. But ISWAP has regrouped after similar losses before. The group adapts. It relies on rural support. It uses improvised explosive devices. It attacks soft targets. The military must sustain pressure. One victory does not end the insurgency.
Winners: The Nigerian Army, which demonstrates capacity. The Air Component, which provided support. Communities in Kukawa, which gain temporary relief. The military, which recovers weapons. Losers: ISWAP, which loses fighters and equipment. The soldiers killed in action. Their families. Civilians who remain at risk. The military, which faces continued threats.
Bottom Line: Troops killed 25 ISWAP fighters. Fourteen bodies recovered. Weapons seized. Soldiers died. The operation is a win. The war continues. ISWAP will regroup. The military must keep pressure.