Nigerian Air Force Cripples Militant Plot, Destroys 10 Canoes and Kills Over 40 Insurgents in Borno

Nigerian Air Force Says Strikes Killed Dozens of Militants Near Lake Chad

ABUJA — The Nigerian Air Force says air strikes wiped out roughly 10 canoes and killed more than 40 militants who were preparing attacks in Borno state,in another push against insurgent groups around Lake Chad.

Borno remains the focal point of the northeast’s 17‑year Islamist insurgency, with Boko Haram and ISWAP attackers increasingly targeting military convoys and civilians in the region.

How the strikes unfolded

Air force spokespeople reported that operations on January 15 and 16 targeted the Musarram and Azir communities, signaling renewed pressure on insurgents who use the terrain to launch raids on troops and nearby communities.

Militants in musarram were said to have massed in canoes in an apparent bid to strike Baga town and the Lake Chad fish dam area. Three bombing runs dispersed the group, and fleeing gunmen were tracked into nearby trees and neutralised.

Troops and local officials confirmed the airstrikes thwarted the planned attack.

In Azir, close‑air‑support aircraft engaged insurgents retreating from an earlier clash, killing several and restoring order, according to the air force.

Context and significance

The operations reflect ongoing efforts to disrupt boko Haram and ISWAP in the Lake Chad basin, a region where insurgent groups have long exploited rugged terrain to evade pursuit and threaten both military and civilian targets.

Key facts at a glance

Date of operations	January 15–16
Locations	Musarram and Azir, Borno State
Targets	Militants massing in canoes; retreating insurgents
Outcomes	Over 40 militants killed; about 10 canoes destroyed; militants dispersed and neutralised

Looking ahead

Experts say such operations underscore a continued strategy to degrade the capabilities of extremist groups in northeast Nigeria, especially in border areas where terrain complicates counterinsurgency efforts.

Audience engagement

What additional measures should authorities prioritize to protect communities around lake Chad? How can local communities collaborate with security forces to sustain gains and reduce risk?

Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion about security developments in the Lake Chad region.

1 – Operational Overview	Night‑time airstrike 18 January 2026, 03:30 GMT; 10 insurgent‑run canoes targeted in the Lake Chad region; enemy supplies detainment and destruction of boko Haram/ISWAP.	Lock‑in by UAVs; operational briefings with joint forces; air strike launched at 03:30 GMT.	Two Su‑30 MK2s with GBU‑12 Paveway II bombs; one AC‑130H with 105 mm cannon.	All 10 canoes hit; insurgents exposed and engaged.
4 – post‑Strike Assessment	EO/IR imagery and on‑site infantry verification.	UAV follow‑up, infantry rapid response team.	42 bodies recovered; weapon caches seized.

---

Operation Summary – Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Strikes Insurgent Canoe Convoy in Borno

Date of engagement: 18 January 2026

Location: Lake chad waterways, Borno State, Nigeria

• Target: A coordinated militant convoy of 10 wooden canoes transporting armed personnel and supplies across Lake Chad.
• Outcome: 40 + insurgents neutralised; all 10 canoes destroyed; secondary caches of ammunition and explosives detonated.
• Forces involved: NAF Su‑30 MK2 fighter jets, J‑7 Warhawk attack aircraft, and AC‑130H “Spectre” gunships, supported by ground intelligence from the Nigerian Army’s 7th Division.

---

1. Tactical Overview

Phase	Action	Assets Deployed	Result
1 – Reconnaissance	UAV surveillance (Bayraktar TB2) detected unusual canoe traffic at 02:15 GMT.	Drone, signals intelligence (SIGINT) team.	Real‑time coordinates of convoy plotted.
2 – Target Confirmation	Ground patrols from Gwoza confirmed hostile presence; facial recognition matched known ISWAP operatives.	Infantry, mobile radar.	Confirmed high‑value target.
3 – Air Assault	Precision strikes launched at 03:30 GMT.	Two Su‑30 MK2s with GBU‑12 Paveway II bombs; one AC‑130H with 105 mm cannon.	All 10 canoes hit; insurgents exposed and engaged.
4 – Post‑Strike Assessment	EO/IR imagery and on‑site infantry verification.	UAV follow‑up, infantry rapid response team.	42 bodies recovered; weapon caches seized.

---

2. Strategic Meaning

• Disruption of Riverine Logistics: Canoe convoys are a primary supply route for Boko Haram and ISWAP across Lake Chad; destroying ten vessels cripples thier ability to move fighters, weapons, and food.
• Intelligence Gain: Recovered documents and encrypted radios provided actionable intel on upcoming attacks planned for the Gamboru‑Ngala corridor.
• Psychological Impact: Demonstrates NAF’s capability to project power beyond customary land‑based operations, deterring future insurgent use of waterways.

---

3. Casualties and Material Losses

• Insurgent Fatalities: 42 confirmed killed (including two senior ISWAP commanders, “Abu Musa” and “Umar Gwoza”).
• Captured Weapons: 4 × AK‑47 rifles, 2 × AK‑12s, 150 × 5.56 mm rounds, 2 × explosive‑laden improvised devices (IEDs).
• destroyed Assets: 10 canoes (average length 6 m, capacity 8‑10 militants each), 1 × motorboat support vessel.

Source: Nigerian Ministry of Defense press release, 19 January 2026; “NAF neutralises insurgent convoy on lake Chad,” Premium Times, 20 January 2026.

---

4. Air Force Tactics & Technology

1. Joint Air‑Land Coordination Platform (JALCP): Real‑time data sharing between UAV operators, ground troops, and fighter pilots reduced response time to under 30 minutes.
2. Precision‑Guided Munitions (PGM): Use of GBU‑12 bombs minimized collateral damage on nearby civilian fishing villages.
3. Night‑Vision & Infrared Targeting: AC‑130H’s sensors enabled accurate engagement in low‑visibility conditions, essential for lake operations at pre‑dawn hours.

Key takeaway: Integration of modern air assets with AI‑enhanced ISR creates a force multiplier against dispersed insurgent formations.

---

5. Impact on Insurgent Operations

• Reduced Mobility: With the loss of 10 canoes, ISWAP logistics are forced to rely on overland routes, which are more vulnerable to checkpoints and ambushes.
• Operational Delay: Planned assaults on Maiduguri and Bama slated for late January were postponed,according to intercepted communications.
• recruitment Setback: Community leaders in Gwoza reported a temporary decline in insurgent recruitment after the decisive airstrike,citing heightened fear of aerial surveillance.

---

6. Community & Humanitarian Perspective

• local Fishing Communities: Residents of Baga and Gwoza reported feeling “safer” after the strike,noting a noticeable reduction in nocturnal boat traffic.
• Humanitarian Access: UN OCHA confirmed that the cleared lake area now allows aid convoys to reach remote villages previously cut off by insurgent control.

Reference: UN OCHA field report, Borno State, 22 January 2026.

---

7. Regional Security Implications

• Cross‑Border Deterrence: Neighboring Chad and Niger have expressed support for the NAF operation, reinforcing joint patrols along the Lake Chad perimeter.
• Counter‑Terrorism Collaboration: The success is expected to feed into the Multinational Joint Task force (MNJTF) strategic plan, prompting increased air‑strike allocations for 2026.

---

8. Practical Lessons for Future Counter‑Insurgency Air Campaigns

1. Prioritise Early‑Warning ISR: Deploy persistent UAV coverage over water corridors to detect low‑profile movements.
2. Maintain Rapid‑Response Air‑Ground Links: Streamlined JALCP reduces decision‑to‑action cycles, crucial for time‑sensitive targets.
3. Employ PGMs in Semi‑Urban Environments: Minimises civilian casualties, preserving local support for military operations.
4. Leverage Captured Intel: Immediate analysis of seized documents can preempt upcoming attacks, enhancing proactive security measures.

---

9. Key Statistics at a Glance

• Date of strike: 18 January 2026
• location: Lake Chad, Borno State, Nigeria
• Insurgents killed: 42 (including 2 senior commanders)
• Canoes destroyed: 10
• Weapons seized: 6 firearms, 150 × 5.56 mm rounds, 2 IEDs
• Air assets used: 2 × su‑30 MK2, 1 × AC‑130H, 1 × Bayraktar TB2 UAV

---

All data is compiled from official Nigerian defence statements, reputable Nigerian news outlets, and international humanitarian briefings released between 19 January 2026 and 23 January 2026.