Airstrikes executed by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Saturday have killed leaders of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Ali Kwaya and Bukar Mainoka at Lake Chad.
Kwaya and Mainoka were influential members of the ISWAP Shura (Consultation) Council.
They died after the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai conducted air interdiction missions at Belowa.
Belowa, one of the ISWAP/Boko Haram enclaves in the Tumbuns, is located in Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State, on the western coast of Lake Chad.
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The military said the strikes at Belowa became necessary after intelligence revealed the convergence of some ISWAP leaders and fighters.
The terrorists were suspected to be gathering for a meeting ahead of an attack on friendly forces.
A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter aircraft was dispatched to the location of hitting the ISWAP elements with rockets and bombs in multiple passes.
An intelligence operative confirmed that the airstrikes were successful.
“Two vehicles conveying about 13 injured surviving terrorists to another hideout were struck through precision strikes.
“Feedback revealed that ISWAP kingpin, Ali Kwaya, a key member of the ISWAP Shura Council, and Mallam Bukar Mainoka were among those neutralized”, the source said.
