Military Strikes New ISWAP Base in Baikee Forest, Injures Terrorist Leader Abu Moussab al-Barnawi

The Nigerian military has recorded a major success in its ongoing counterterrorism efforts, with a coordinated air interdiction mission decimating a newly established Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) base in Baikee Forest, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

The operation, conducted under Operation KALACHEN WUTA and executed by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), targeted ISWAP terrorists who had converged in the Izge–Pridang–Baikee forest axis. According to security sources cited by counterinsurgency expert Zagazola Makama, the terrorists were fortifying their camp and planning attacks on nearby civilian communities, particularly Izge town.

The airstrikes were carried out on June 13, 2025, in successive waves and were overseen by the Theatre Commander of the North East Joint Task Force, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, and executed by the Air Component Commander, Air Commodore U.U. Idris. The strikes reportedly hit multiple targets, destroying ISWAP’s logistics assets and neutralizing several high-value terrorist leaders.

A post-strike battle damage assessment confirmed that the terror group suffered heavy casualties.

Intelligence further revealed that the ISWAP general leader, Abu Moussab al-Barnawi, sustained serious injuries to his face and upper limbs during the strikes. His current health and operational status remain unknown.

Military authorities hailed the operation as a significant blow to the terrorist group’s fighting capability and ability to regroup, noting that the attack has thrown ISWAP elements into disarray.

Troops in both ground and air components of Operation Hadin Kai have been commended for their vigilance and urged to sustain the momentum, maintain operational dominance, and continue efforts to deny terrorists freedom of action in the region.