Troops of the Nigerian military have killed three senior commanders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) following a failed ambush attempt in Cross-Kauwa, situated in the Lake Chad region.
The slain commanders were identified as Modu Dogo Munzir of Dogon Chukun, another Munzir whose identity remains unclear, and Abu Aisha, the Qaid of Tumbun Mota. Eight other fighters of the terrorist group were also neutralized during the encounter, which began when ISWAP insurgents detonated a command improvised explosive device (IED) in an attempt to ambush troops on Monday.
According to Operation Hadin Kai Theater Command, soldiers from Sector 3 were conducting a scanning and picketing patrol along the Baga–Cross Kauwa route, a corridor known as one of ISWAP’s supply lines in Kukawa Local Government Area, when they came under attack.
“In the first encounter on 15 September 2025, at about 8:00 am, troops of Sector 3 on a scanning and picketing patrol along the Baga–Cross Kauwa Main Supply Route in Kukawa Local Government Area were ambushed by terrorists who detonated a Command Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and opened fire on the patrol team,” the Theater Command explained in a statement.
The statement noted that a fierce gun battle followed the blast, forcing the insurgents to retreat with varying degrees of injury. During the operation, troops recovered 14 motorcycles, AK-47 rifles with magazines, several rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, an anti-aircraft weapon, blankets, medical supplies, and other items believed to belong to the fleeing terrorists.
The Theater Command further disclosed that two gun trucks abandoned by the terrorists could not be retrieved due to the terrain. They were subsequently destroyed near Alargarno and Doro Naira, while additional insurgents were neutralized by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, assisted with precision guidance by the Multi-National Joint Task Force Intelligence Support Response platform.
Importantly, no casualties were recorded on the side of Nigerian troops during the operation.
Meanwhile, troops of Sector 1, supported by the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and local hunters, carried out a parallel offensive at Umbo in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State around the same time as the Cross-Kauwa ambush. In that encounter, three more terrorists were eliminated, with others escaping after sustaining gunshot wounds. Recovered items from the Adamawa operation included AK-47 rifles, several rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition, and an Itel mobile phone.
What you should know
The Nigerian military continues to intensify operations against ISWAP in the northeast, with recent successes highlighting improved coordination between ground forces, air support, and intelligence platforms.
The elimination of three key ISWAP commanders in Cross-Kauwa is considered a significant blow to the group, as it disrupts leadership structures and weakens their capacity to organize further ambushes along critical supply routes.
The parallel offensive in Adamawa State underscores the military’s multi-pronged strategy aimed at cutting off insurgent mobility while neutralizing safe havens. Notably, the operations were completed without government troop casualties, reflecting both tactical effectiveness and heightened preparedness.
