NAF destroys terrorist hideouts in Borno

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), under the joint task force of Operation HADIN KAI, has achieved another major operational success with a coordinated air strike in Abbaga Jiri, located within the notorious Timbuktu Triangle of Borno State.

Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF Headquarters, said on Saturday that the achievement followed multi-source intelligence confirming the presence of terrorists, their structures, and hidden logistics facilities in the area.

The statement added that, based on the intelligence, NAF air units were deployed in surveillance and precision strike roles to engage the identified targets successfully.

“The operation was deliberately designed to degrade terrorist capability, deny sanctuary, and shape the battlespace for ground forces, in strict adherence to established rules of engagement and the protection of non-combatants,” the statement read in part.

Commenting on the operation, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, said the mission “demonstrates our unwavering commitment to delivering precise and decisive airpower in support of ground forces. We will continue to deny terrorists freedom of movement, sanctuary, and logistics wherever they seek to hide.”

“The identified terrorist structures were decisively engaged and destroyed, denying the terrorists freedom of action, while a follow-up engagement neutralised armed elements observed converging on the location.

“Subsequent advances by ground troops into the area confirmed the effectiveness of the air strikes and validated the success of the joint air–land operation,” CAS said.

Reaffirming NAF’s operational posture, he said, “Our operations are carefully planned and intelligence-led, ensuring maximum effect on hostile elements while safeguarding innocent civilians. The Nigerian Air Force will sustain pressure until terrorist networks are completely dismantled.”

“Our operations are carefully planned and intelligence-led, ensuring maximum effect on hostile elements while safeguarding innocent civilians. The Nigerian Air Force will sustain pressure until terrorist networks are completely dismantled,” he added.

A similar operation took place in December 2025, when the Nigerian Air Force carried out two precision air strikes on bandit positions in the Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara state.

The strikes, conducted under the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma, Sector 2, targeted Turba Hill and a camp linked to a bandit leader identified as Kachalla Dogo Sule.

Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame stated that the operations followed “credible, multi-source intelligence on bandit activities in the area.”