OPHK Eliminates ISWAP Propaganda Chief, Others in Major Blow to Terrorists

The Nigerian military says troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have dealt a significant blow to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) with the elimination of one of the group's top propaganda operatives, Abu Salim al-Barnawi, alongside other members of its mobile media team during a failed terrorist attack in Borno State.

According to the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, Abu Salim was killed during the failed infiltration of a military location at Cross Kauwa on July 12, 2026. He was eliminated alongside Abu Umar Khattab and Abu Khalid Usman, both identified as members of the terrorist group's media unit.

The military recalled that a video camera was among the items recovered after the encounter, a development it said further confirmed the presence of the media operatives during the attack.

Captain Goni disclosed that ISWAP has since acknowledged Abu Salim's death by issuing an obituary, describing the development as evidence of the growing pressure being mounted against the terrorist group through sustained military operations.

He explained that Abu Salim was formerly a notorious Boko Haram/ISWAP raid commander who led cross-border attacks into Cameroon before being redeployed to the group's media wing, where he coordinated the photographing and filming of terrorist attacks, produced propaganda materials and promoted extremist narratives aimed at recruiting new members and misleading the public.

The military noted that the operation also resulted in the killing of several other high-profile terrorists, including a Syrian national and a Quaid identified as Aliyu Zabarmari, while another Arab mercenary involved in the attack remains unaccounted for. Several other fighters reportedly sustained serious injuries while fleeing under heavy military pressure.

Operation HADIN KAI said the latest success further weakens ISWAP's operational capability by dismantling its propaganda structure, disrupting its command network and reducing its capacity to recruit, coordinate attacks and project a false image of strength.

The military added that the terrorist group's decision to publicly mourn the slain commander reflects the increasing difficulty it faces in replacing experienced operatives who have been eliminated through sustained offensive operations.

Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining relentless intelligence-driven operations aimed at eliminating the remaining Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters, dismantling their support and propaganda networks, denying them freedom of action and restoring lasting peace and security across the North-East.