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| Africa Subsaharan |
| A foreign Arab fighter identified as Abu Khalid was injured in a recent NAF airstrike, targeting ISWAPS command structure |
| 2026-05-05 |
Text: The Nigerian Air Force has been firing on all cylinders. A foreign Arab fighter identified as Abu Khalid was severely injured in a recent NAF airstrike that targeted ISWAPS command structure a couple of days ago. The airstrike eliminated three senior ISWAP Shura council members and two field commanders. The influx of foreign fighters into Nigeria, not just from the Sahel region but as far as the middle east is the product of the porous nature of our borders. Our border with Niger is the most concerning. The Niger border, which stretches about 1,497kilometers, is the longest and cuts through vast forests and unmonitored spaces, providing insurgents with easy access to Nigerian territory. The Chad border stretches only 87 kilometers, and unlike Niger, the Chadians have a relatively firmer grip on their territory. Nigeria needs something akin to a dedicated border force to stem the flow of foreign fighters and the influx of arms into the country. It is also estimated that of the 500 million illegal weapons circulating in West Africa, 70% are domiciled in Nigeria. While the cost of securing the border in terms of manpower and resources may seem high, the price of leaving it largely unprotected is far greater. Without stronger border control, we remain trapped in a bitter war of attrition, with foreign fighters continuously replenishing ISWAP’s losses. Related: Nigerian Air Force: 2026-05-04 Nigerian air force strikes terrorists, razes Abasu Aiki hideout in Katsina Nigerian Air Force: 2026-05-03 Nigeria: Boko Haram, ISWAP Battle for Dominance in Sambisa Forest as Nigerian AF pummels Sambisa and Tumbuns hideouts Nigerian Air Force: 2026-04-29 Nigeria: Exclusive: ISWAP/ Boko Haram factions clash in Sambisa Forest, 40 reported killed — Source |
| Posted by:badanov |