The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says more than 40 terrorists were killed in coordinated air strikes carried out in the Azir and Musarram areas of Borno State, successfully foiling planned attacks on civilian communities.
Gatekeepers News reports that the operation was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, who said the precision strikes were conducted on January 15 and 16.
According to Ejodame, the air strikes were executed by NAF aircraft operating under the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, following credible intelligence on terrorist movements and imminent threats to nearby communities.
He explained that surveillance revealed attempts by the terrorists to regroup under nearby tree cover, prompting successive precision strikes that neutralised several of them.
“Post-strike assessment confirmed no further threats, while feedback from ground troops, local authorities and community sources indicated a significant degradation of terrorist presence and a return of relative calm,” the statement said.
Ejodame added that earlier on January 15, NAF air assets carried out a successful air interdiction mission at Musarram in the Tumbuns general area, after intelligence revealed terrorists assembling on canoes to launch attacks along the Baga and Fish Dam axis.
“On arrival, the aircraft sighted about 10 canoes and over 40 suspected terrorists, who were engaged in multiple passes, throwing them into disarray,” he said.
“Some fleeing elements were trailed and neutralised, while others who regrouped at an assembly area were also engaged, effectively dismantling the terrorist concentration.”
Meanwhile, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to providing timely and decisive air support to ground forces battling insurgency.
Aneke said the operations demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-led air power and close air–ground coordination in denying terrorists freedom of action.
He assured Nigerians that pressure on terrorist elements would be sustained as the Armed Forces of Nigeria continue efforts to degrade their capabilities and stabilise affected areas.
