Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have recorded a major breakthrough in the ongoing counterterrorism campaign in Nigeria’s North-East with the elimination of a senior ISWAP propaganda operative and several key members of the terrorist group during intensified military operations.

According to a statement issued by the Acting Military Information Officer of Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, the operation dealt a significant setback to the group’s propaganda, intelligence and operational capabilities.

The military confirmed that Abu Salim al-Barnawi, a former ISWAP raid commander who later became the group’s chief photographer and propaganda operative, was killed during a failed attack on a military position last week.

Also killed in the operation were members of ISWAP’s mobile media team, including Abu Umar Khattab and Abu Khalid Usman. The military noted that a video camera used by the media unit was recovered during the operation, while the terrorist group has since acknowledged Abu Salim’s death through an obituary, confirming the loss of one of its senior operatives.

Captain Goni explained that Abu Salim had previously led cross-border attacks into Cameroon before being reassigned to ISWAP’s media wing, where he was responsible for filming attacks, producing propaganda materials and promoting extremist content aimed at recruitment and misinformation.

The military said the media team was neutralised during the failed terrorist infiltration of Cross Kauwa on 12 July 2026, where troops repelled the assault and inflicted heavy casualties on the attackers.

Among those reportedly killed during the operation was a Syrian fighter identified as Aliyu Zabarmari, while another foreign mercenary remains unaccounted for. Several other senior terrorists were also said to have sustained serious injuries while fleeing under sustained military fire.

According to the statement, the elimination of these operatives has significantly weakened ISWAP’s command structure and propaganda network, reducing the group’s ability to coordinate attacks, spread extremist messaging and recruit new members.

Captain Goni said the publication of an obituary by the terrorist group further demonstrates the pressure being exerted by Operation Hadin Kai and highlights the increasing difficulty ISWAP faces in replacing experienced fighters who have been eliminated through sustained military operations.

He reaffirmed the commitment of Operation Hadin Kai to continue intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling Boko Haram and ISWAP networks, eliminating their remaining fighters, disrupting their propaganda structures and restoring lasting peace and security across the North-East.