Operation Hadin Kai says its troops have killed Abu Salim al-Barnawi, described as a senior Boko Haram/ISWAP commander-turned-chief photographer and propaganda operative, during a failed terrorist attack on a military position in Cross Kauwa, Borno State.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the acting Military Information Officer, Captain Mohammed Goni, the military said Abu Salim was among several terrorists killed during the failed infiltration of a military location on July 12, 2026.
The statement said Abu Salim was killed alongside other members of the ISWAP mobile media team, identified as Abu Umar Khattab and Abu Khalid Usman. It added that troops recovered a video camera and other items from the scene, as earlier announced by the military.
According to the military, intelligence reports indicate that Abu Salim previously led cross-border attacks into Cameroon before being reassigned to the group’s media unit, where he allegedly photographed and filmed attacks, produced propaganda materials and supported recruitment efforts.
Operation Hadin Kai said the terrorist group had since acknowledged his death by publishing an obituary, describing it as confirmation of the losses suffered by ISWAP.
The military also said troops inflicted heavy casualties on the terrorists during the encounter, including the reported killing of a Syrian fighter and an ISWAP commander identified as Aliyu Zabarmari, while another foreign fighter was said to be missing.
Captain Goni said the latest operation demonstrated the impact of sustained military offensives against Boko Haram and ISWAP.
“The loss of such seasoned operatives further degrades the terrorists’ operational capability, weakens their propaganda apparatus, erodes their command structure, and diminishes their ability to spread extremist narratives and fabricate an illusion of strength,” he said.
The statement added that the reported obituary issued by the insurgent group reflected the increasing pressure being exerted by Operation Hadin Kai and the difficulty it faces in replacing experienced operatives.
Captain Goni reaffirmed the military’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling Boko Haram and ISWAP networks and restoring peace across Nigeria’s North-East.
