NAF Airstrikes Eliminate Over 40 Terrorists in Borno, Foil Planned Attacks
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has killed more than 40 terrorists during coordinated close air support and air interdiction operations in the Azir and Musarram areas of Borno State, dealing a major blow to insurgent activities in the region.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, the Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the operations were carried out on January 15 and 16 by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI, based on credible intelligence and in close coordination with ground troops.
Ejodame explained that in the early hours of January 16, NAF aircraft swiftly responded to a distress call from troops engaged in combat with terrorists retreating from Azir.
Further aerial surveillance revealed insurgents attempting to regroup under nearby tree cover, prompting precise and successive airstrikes that neutralised several of them.
He noted that post-strike assessments showed no remaining threats in the area, while feedback from ground forces, local authorities and community sources confirmed a significant reduction in terrorist presence and a restoration of relative calm.
The NAF spokesperson added that a day earlier, on January 15, air assets conducted a successful air interdiction mission at Musarram in the Tumbuns general area, following intelligence that terrorists were assembling on canoes to launch attacks along the Baga and Fish Dam axis.
“On arrival, the aircraft sighted about 10 canoes carrying over 40 suspected terrorists. They were engaged in multiple attack runs, throwing them into disarray,” Ejodame said. “Some fleeing elements were tracked and neutralised, while others who regrouped at an assembly point were also engaged, effectively dismantling the terrorist concentration.”
Reacting to the operations, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, reaffirmed the NAF’s commitment to providing timely and decisive air support to ground forces. He said the successful missions underscored the effectiveness of intelligence-led air power and strong air–ground coordination in denying terrorists freedom of action.
Aneke assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces of Nigeria would sustain pressure on terrorist elements as efforts continue to degrade their capabilities and stabilise affected communities.
