MAIDUGURI, Nigeria — Nigerian military aircraft struck a gathering of about 12 suspected Islamic State West Africa Province fighters in Yaganari, Borno State, according to military sources familiar with the operation.
The Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai conducted the strike at about 12:32 a.m. on Friday, July 17, 2026, as part of counterterrorism operations in north-eastern Nigeria, the sources said.
The strike followed aerial surveillance that tracked several men to an assembly beneath a tree.
The number of people killed or injured could not immediately be confirmed.
A post-strike assessment indicated that some members of the group had been hit, while others fled from nearby positions, according to the sources.
Surveillance Tracked Suspects to Gathering
The operation began after intelligence reports identified suspected insurgent activity around Yaganari, the sources said.
An intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft was deployed to observe the area and initially detected four suspected fighters moving nearby.
Two of the men were later seen heading towards another location.
The aircraft continued tracking them until they reached a larger group of about 12 suspected ISWAP members gathered beneath a tree, according to the account.
Military personnel confirmed the target before authorising the strike, the sources said.
The aircraft then attacked the gathering, hitting the location shortly after midnight.
Casualty Figure Remains Unconfirmed
An aerial assessment conducted immediately afterwards suggested that an undetermined number of the suspected fighters had been killed, according to the sources.
Several people were also observed leaving nearby hideouts and moving in different directions.
Surveillance aircraft remained over the area to follow those fleeing and determine whether further military action was required.
The sources described the raid as an intelligence-led attempt to disrupt ISWAP operations and prevent its members from assembling or moving freely through the area.
The strike formed part of Operation Hadin Kai’s continuing air campaign against suspected insurgent positions, supply locations and movement routes in Borno State.
