- Safiu Kehinde
Scores of suspected terrorists have been neutralised as the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) dismantled their networks across Sambisa and Tumbuns regions with multiple airstrikes.
The NAF personnel attached to the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI reportedly launched aggressive precision strikes across the terrorists’ enclaves, hideouts, and logistic hubs in the area in a two-day operation.
This was made known in a statement issued on Friday by NAF’s spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.
According to Ejodame, the Operation HADIN KAI commenced the airstrike action on Thursday following credible intelligence confirming the terrorists’ infrastructure at Alafa, Sambisa, and Metele in Tumbuns areas of Borno State.
“Acting on credible intelligence, NAF aircraft struck decisively at insurgent enclaves, obliterating hideouts, crippling logistics hubs, and neutralising scores of fighters in relentless, coordinated attack runs.
“On 30 April 2026, air assets executed a high-impact Air Interdiction mission at Alafa in the Sambisa axis, where confirmed terrorist infrastructure and supply nodes were swiftly engaged and destroyed in successive strikes.
“Sustaining the momentum, NAF forces followed up on 1 May 2026 with another decisive assault on terrorist positions at Metele in the Tumbuns.
“Intelligence and surveillance exposed a fortified island stronghold with entrenched fighters, storage facilities, and defensive trench systems.” The statement partly read.
NAF confirmed the death of several insurgents in the operation considered a deliberate strategy to deny the terrorists any space to operate or regroup.
“With scores of insurgents confirmed within the target area, NAF aircraft delivered precise and overwhelming firepower, striking and decimating the location.
“The sustained intensity of these operations reflects a deliberate strategy of continuous pressure, denying terrorists any space to regroup or operate.” Ejodame added.
Reacting to the development, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, commended the professionalism and combat effectiveness of NAF personnel.
He reaffirmed the Service’s unyielding resolve to dominate the battlespace, stressing that operations will persist with increased intensity until all terrorist capabilities are dismantled and threats to national security fully neutralised.