NAF Intensifies Airstrikes, Cripples Terrorist Networks in North East, North West Nigeria – Spokesperson

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Saturday announced the sustenance of series of coordinated, intelligence-led air interdiction operations across the North East and North West regions of the country, dealing significant blows to terrorist networks and denying them safe havens.

NAF Spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said in a statement that the operations were conducted between Jan. 1 and Jan. 2, 2026, under the joint task forces of Operations Hadin Kai and Fasan Yamma Sector 2.

The full statement titled ‘NAF SUSTAINS RELENTLESS AIR INTERDICTION CAMPAIGN ACROSS NORTH-EAST AND NORTH-WEST, CRIPPLING TERRORIST NETWORKS AND DENYING SAFE HAVENS’ reads: “The Nigerian Air Force has sustained an unrelenting air interdiction campaign against terrorist elements through a series of coordinated, intelligence-led operations conducted between 1 and 2 January 2026 across critical threat corridors in the North-East and North-West through the joint task forces of Operations HADIN KAI and FASAN YAMMA SECTOR 2. Acting on actionable intelligence on terrorist intent, movement, and logistics, NAF air assets were decisively employed 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.

“In the North-East theatre, successive precision strikes were delivered against deeply concealed terrorist enclaves at Abirma and Chiralia within the Timbuktu Triangle, following persistent surveillance that confirmed active 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. Follow-on interdiction operations at Guva in the Mandara Mountains further dismantled terrorist storage and coordination nodes, severely degrading their ability to regroup, resupply, or mount attacks during the festive period and beyond.

“The campaign was simultaneously extended into 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. 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.

“The Nigerian Air Force assures Nigerians that these operations will continue with precision, persistence, and professionalism in support of joint forces on the ground. Terrorist elements threatening innocent lives will be met with decisive force. The Service remains fully committed to protecting civilians, supporting national security objectives, and restoring lasting peace and stability across all theatres of operation.”