Borno State airstrikes kill approximately 38 suspected terrorists

The Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) conducted a series of precision airstrikes across Borno State between the night of August 21 and the early hours of August 22, 2026. The operations targeted suspected terrorist concentrations in the Monguno and Biu Local Government Areas.

In the Aduwa axis of Monguno LGA, an armed reconnaissance platform tracked a large group of suspected terrorists in a settlement, resulting in approximately 16 neutralizations through two precision strikes. A subsequent engagement targeted a group of about 10 terrorists attempting to regroup, successfully neutralizing them as well.

In a separate operation near Buratai in the Biu LGA, air platforms identified and struck another group of suspected terrorists, resulting in approximately 12 additional deaths. Total reported fatalities from these coordinated intelligence-led strikes range between 36 and 38 suspected terrorists. The military stated these operations are part of intensified efforts to disrupt terrorist movement and degrade their ability to operate within the North-East theatre.