Airstrikes reportedly kill 38 suspected terrorists in Borno

Airstrikes by Operation Hadin Kai reportedly killed around 38 suspected terrorists in Borno State on August 21 and 22, 2026. The precision airstrikes were conducted in response to intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions that identified terrorist activity in multiple locations. Security analyst Zagazola Makama reported that the first operation targeted a group of suspects near Aduwa at around 10:23 pm on Friday.

Following intelligence on the presence of armed fighters and vehicles, a precision strike killed approximately 16 terrorists. The operation continued after midnight when another group of about 10 terrorists regrouped near a tree, and a second precision strike successfully neutralized them. A separate strike in the Buratai area on Saturday targeted 12 suspected terrorists hiding in a hut and resulted in their deaths.

Makama stated that the combined operations accounted for approximately 26 terrorists. The strikes are part of intensified operations by Operation Hadin Kai against terrorist networks in the North-East, targeting their leadership, logistics, and movement. While the general security situation remains "calm but unpredictable," troops' morale and fighting efficiency are described as "satisfactory."

Makama believes the strikes will further disrupt terrorist command-and-control structures and force insurgents to disperse into smaller, more concealed groups. The latest strikes may explain a reported more than 250% increase in terrorist surrenders over the past month.