Nigerian military have killed over 25 fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province in a brutal battle at Kukawa, Borno State, while security officials separately foiled a scheme by the terror group to massacre people in southern Nigeria during the festive season.
Security sources said the Kukawa encounter happened when ISWAP terrorists launched a coordinated attack on members of the 101 Special Forces Battalion from four separate directions between 9:00 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
The forces, with the backing of the Air Component, battled back strongly and overcame the invaders after a long exchange of fire that went into the early hours of Wednesday.
Preliminary assessment shows that over 25 terrorists have been neutralised with 14 bodies found thus far, the Army stated in a statement signed by Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai.
During exploration, troops found and seized a cache of weaponry and ammunition in the region comprising six AK-47 rifles, 10 magazines, 797 rounds of PKT ammo, three rocket-propelled grenade bombs and an anti-tank bomb.
The Army said several heroic warriors paid the supreme sacrifice during the fight but did not specify the exact number of losses . Military reports later said that eight to ten soldiers were killed in the incident.
“The Nigerian Army commiserates with the family members of the fallen heroes and stands by them at this trying time,” stated Captain Goni. “Their courage, sacrifice and devotion to duty will be a lasting tribute to their service to the nation. “May their souls rest in peace.”
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In a separate but connected operation, security agencies also murdered a senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commander, Abdussamad Ohida, aka Anwar, in Owo woodland, Ondo State, foiling plans to carry out synchronised terror operations in portions of southern Nigeria during the Yuletide celebrations.
The operation was carried out by a combined team of the Nigerian Army troops, operatives of the Department of State Services and officers of the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun.
Ohida was a former subordinate of ISWAP Central Nigeria commander Abu Ikrimah alias Abu Uwais who was captured by the DSS in 2023. Ohida is said to have taken over command of ISWAP activities in sections of the North-Central and south following the arrest of Ikrimah.
“The objective was to target the civilian population during the holiday season and eventually to derail the 2027 general election. “This intelligence was verified by intelligence partners from the United Kingdom, who supported the elimination operation,” a security source added.
Ohida was connected with attacks on security formations such as the December 31, 2025 attack on Ipele Divisional Police Station in Owo, the July 28, 2022 attack on a military checkpoint along Suleja-Zuba Road in Niger State and the July 11, 2022 attack on Kuje Correctional Center in Abuja.
“We may not see it immediately but the killing of Abdussamad Ohida is a big blow to ISWAP’s leadership structure, operational network and expansion in central and southern Nigeria,” said another insider.
The Defence Headquarters said the armed forces killed not less than 35 terrorists in two key engagements within seven days, including the Kukawa conflict and another operation in Kebbi State where 10 Lakurawa fighters were killed.
The military said: “The decisive defeat of Kukawa assault further underscore the combat readiness and fighting efficiency of the Nigerian Army troops in the North East Theatre, demonstrating the growing effectiveness of air-ground synergy and joint operations in disrupting terrorist activities.
Troops continue exploitation operations to collect further weapons and trace fleeing terrorists to prevent their regrouping.
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