The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Air Component, operating under joint task force of Operation HADIN KAI, alongside the Nigerian Army troops has recorded another operational success following a precision air interdiction mission conducted against terrorist hideouts at Abirma and a foiled infiltration attempt at Malam Fatori in Abadam Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State.
Abirma is a confirmed insurgent enclave in the southern axis of the Lake Chad region of Borno State, on 17 March 2026.
And the death toll of terrorists neutralised during the failed infiltration attempt on troops’ position in Malam Fatori has risen to 75, in what security analysts describe as one of the most decisive devastating blows against the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Initial reports had put the number of insurgents killed at 61 but updated battlefield assessments and mop-up operations indicate that at least 75 fighters were neutralised, with several others believed to have escaped with severe injuries.
However, four soldiers sustained minor injuries and had since been stabilised.
A statement by NAF Spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the Abirma operation was executed based on credible Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), which confirmed the active presence of terrorist fighters within the settlement.
According to the statement, “subsequent aerial observation revealed insurgent movements around concealed structures deliberately hidden under dense vegetation, a tactic frequently employed to evade detection. Following positive target identification and rigorous verification in line with established operational procedures, NAF air assets executed precision strikes on the identified locations. The targets were engaged with precision munitions, resulting in the destruction of multiple terrorist structures and the disruption of their activities in the area. Preliminary Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) indicates that the strikes significantly degraded the terrorists’ capacity to utilise the location as a staging ground for attacks across the Lake Chad Basin.
“In a related development, NAF air assets, in close coordination with Nigerian Army troops, neutralised several terrorists during a foiled infiltration attempt at Malam Fatori in Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State in the early hours of 18 March 2026. The joint response successfully prevented the insurgents from breaching defensive positions, thereby reinforcing ongoing efforts to stabilise the border communities.
“These operations underscore the Nigerian Air Force’s sustained reliance on intelligence-driven precision air power as part of broader joint force efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and support ground operations aimed at restoring lasting peace and normalcy in the North East.
“The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, reassured Nigerians that sustained air operations across multiple theatres remain focused on protecting innocent lives, safeguarding communities, and denying terrorist and criminal elements the freedom to operate anywhere within the country. He emphasised that the Service remains committed to executing its missions professionally, with strict adherence to rules of engagement and internationally recognised standards in civilian harm mitigation.”
Zagola Makama said in its report that the attack, which occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, saw ISWAP fighters advancing on foot toward the 68 Battalion location, reportedly deploying armed drones in an attempt to breach defensive lines. The infiltration, launched from the Duguri axis toward the Bravo Company frontage, was swiftly detected and repelled.
Military sources said the success of the operation was anchored on superior coordination between air and ground forces, illustrating the growing effectiveness of joint-force synergy in counter-insurgency operations in the North-East.
Makama noted that “four precision air interdiction strikes were conducted on identified terrorist withdrawal routes effectively degrading their combat capability and disrupting their manoeuvre.
“The integration of air power ensured that the insurgents were fixed in position and subjected to sustained bombardment, forcing a chaotic withdrawal toward the Arege axis.
“Further compounding the losses of the terrorists group was the intervention of allied air assets from the Niger Republic, which carried out additional strike passes on fleeing terrorists.Although a full battle damage assessment of those strikes is still ongoing, security sources believe the combined firepower significantly increased the casualty figures.
“In addition to the high number of fatalities, troops reportedly recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition from the battlefield, further weakening the operational capacity of the group in the Lake Chad region.”
