Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has carried out a series of precision air operations in Borno State, neutralising more than 40 terrorists in coordinated missions aimed at disrupting planned insurgent attacks and reinforcing ongoing military efforts in the region. The strikes were executed as part of the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI, underlining continued pressure on extremist elements in Nigeria’s volatile North-East.
According to an official statement by Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information for the NAF, the operations took place on January 15 and 16, 2026, following credible, actionable intelligence and close coordination with ground forces already engaged with militants in the area. The air missions focused on the Azir and Musarram communities within Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State, where terrorist elements had been observed preparing attacks and regrouping.
The Nigerian jets responded swiftly when troops on the ground sent distress reports of fighters withdrawing from contact at Azir, engaging the hostile elements with successive air strikes that forced them into disarray. Subsequent aerial reconnaissance identified groups seeking cover under tree lines; these too were engaged, significantly degrading the terrorists’ operational cohesion and capacity.
On January 15, the NAF conducted a successful air interdiction at Musarram in the Tumbuns area, where intelligence indicated terrorists were assembling on canoes with the apparent intention of launching attacks along the Baga and Fish Dam axis. Air assets sighted the boats and surrounding fighters and engaged them in multiple strike passes, neutralising a substantial number of the hostile elements and scattering others who attempted to regroup.
Post-strike assessments, including feedback from ground troops, community leaders, and local authorities, confirmed that the operations dismantled the targeted terrorist concentrations and created conditions for a return of relative calm in the affected areas. The coordinated action demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-driven air power in supporting troops and disrupting planned insurgent operations.
Reacting to the outcomes, Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, reaffirmed the NAF’s commitment to delivering timely and decisive air support to ground units engaged in counter-terror operations. He emphasised that sustained pressure would be maintained to deny terrorists freedom of movement and progressively degrade their capabilities, with the broader aim of stabilising affected communities and safeguarding civilian populations.
The recent air operations reflect a continuation of the Nigerian military’s multi-layered strategy against extremist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which have long terrorised Borno and neighbouring states. By integrating aerial interdiction with intelligence gathering and close air-ground coordination, the armed forces aim to undermine insurgent command structures and disrupt attack planning.
Security analysts say such actions are critical in shifting the tactical balance in the protracted conflict in the North-East, where insurgent networks have exploited remote terrain and waterways to stage attacks on both military and civilian targets. Continued air pressure, when combined with ground operations and community cooperation, is seen as a key component in restoring security and enabling displaced residents to return to their homes.
As the Nigerian Air Force intensifies operations under Operation Hadin Kai, authorities have pledged to sustain efforts that degrade extremist activities and protect vulnerable communities across Borno and the wider region. The latest airstrikes mark a significant moment in the ongoing campaign, signalling both capability and resolve in confronting entrenched terrorist threats.
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