The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says recent air strikes carried out across parts of the north-east and north-west destroyed terrorist hideouts, eliminated weapons and logistics, and killed several fighters.
In a statement on Saturday, Ehimen Ejodame, director of public relations and information at NAF headquarters, said the operations were conducted between January 1 and 2, through joint task forces under Operation Hadin Kai and Operation Fasan Yamma Sector 2.
Ejodame said the air strikes followed actionable intelligence on terrorist movements, logistics and planned attacks, with NAF air assets deployed to strike identified hideouts, movement routes and assembly areas.
“These operations reinforce the Service’s resolve to deny terrorists freedom of movement, operational depth, and any form of sanctuary within Nigeria’s sovereign territory,” he said.
According to him, in the north-east theatre, successive precision strikes were delivered against deeply concealed terrorist enclaves at Abirma and Chiralia within the Timbuktu Triangle, after sustained surveillance confirmed facilities linked to improvised explosive device production and attack planning.
“The strikes resulted in the complete destruction of targeted structures, with multiple secondary explosions observed, clear indicators of the elimination of explosive stockpiles and critical logistics,” Ejodame added.
He said follow-on strikes were also carried out at Guva in the Mandara Mountains, where terrorist storage sites and coordination nodes were dismantled.
“These operations further dismantled terrorist storage and coordination nodes, severely degrading their ability to regroup, resupply, or mount attacks during the festive period and beyond,” he said.
NORTH-WEST STRIKES TARGET MOTORCYCLE CONVOYS
Ejodame said the campaign was extended to the north-west with a decisive air interdiction mission around Karaduwa Giginya Na in Matazu local government area of Katsina state.
“Terrorist elements’ movement activities were tracked while moving in large motorcycle convoys and engaged at a forested convergence point,” he said.
He added that post-strike assessments and corroborated local feedback confirmed “the neutralisation of several terrorists, the destruction of multiple motorcycles, and the elimination of assorted weapons”.
“These sustained, multi-theatre strikes underscore the Nigerian Air Force’s overwhelming airpower presence, rapid strike capability, and unwavering resolve to systematically dismantle terrorist networks,” Ejodame added.
The air force spokesman assured Nigerians that the operations would continue in support of ground troops.
“The Nigerian Air Force assures Nigerians that these operations will continue with precision, persistence, and professionalism in support of joint forces on the ground,” he said.
“Terrorist elements threatening innocent lives will be met with decisive force”.
He noted that the service remained committed to protecting civilians, supporting national security objectives and restoring lasting peace and stability across all theatres of operation.
