The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) jets under the Joint Task Force (JTF) of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), struck terrorist strongholds in the Yuwe general area of the Sambisa Forest, decimating terror commanders and operatives.
NAF Spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said that the “decisive, intelligence-driven Air Interdiction (AI) mission,” carried out on February 28, 2026, followed “confirmatory Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) which identified structures serving as terrorist commanders’ hideouts and logistics warehouses.”
The statement added that “acting with precision and overwhelming force, NAF strike elements successfully acquired and engaged the validated targets, delivering accurate air strikes that effectively dismantled critical terrorist infrastructure.
“Post-strike assessments, corroborated by credible intelligence sources, confirm the neutralization of several high-value terrorist operatives, including senior commanders and fighters actively coordinating hostile activities within the theatre.
“The strikes significantly disrupted the terrorists’ command-and-control architecture and degraded their logistics network, further constraining their operational capabilities in the region. The Nigerian Air Force has since maintained sustained ISR presence over the area to identify and engage additional verified targets, keeping relentless pressure on fleeing and regrouping elements.”
Commenting on the operation, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, commended the professionalism and combat efficiency of the aircrew and supporting personnel.
Air Marshal Aneke reaffirmed the NAF’s unwavering resolve to deny terrorists any sanctuary within the country, stating that “the Nigerian Air Force will continue to project decisive air power in close synergy with ground forces until every identified terrorist enclave is dismantled. We remain committed to sustaining aggressive, intelligence-led operations that protect our nation and restore enduring peace.”