Dozens slain as air raids by Nigerian forces demolish militant strongholds in Borno

The Nigerian Air Force's Air Component, operating under the joint task force of Operation Hadin Kai, carried out a precise air interdiction mission against terrorist hideouts at Abirma, a known insurgent enclave in the southern axis of the Lake Chad region of Borno State, on 17 March 2026, with the goal of disrupting their activities.

This mission was made possible by credible Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance that confirmed the presence of terrorist fighters within the settlement, according to Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information.

Aerial observation revealed insurgent movements around concealed structures deliberately hidden under dense vegetation, a tactic frequently employed to evade detection, prompting the NAF to take action.

Following positive target identification and rigorous verification, NAF air assets executed precision strikes on the identified locations, engaging the targets with precision munitions and resulting in the destruction of multiple terrorist structures.

The strikes significantly degraded the terrorists' capacity to utilise the location as a staging ground for attacks across the Lake Chad Basin, according to preliminary Battle Damage Assessment.

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.

This joint response successfully prevented the insurgents from breaching defensive positions, thereby reinforcing ongoing efforts to stabilise the border communities, and underscoring the Nigerian Air Force's sustained reliance on intelligence-driven precision air power.

These operations are 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, with the Nigerian Air Force playing a key role.

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.

The Nigerian Air Force remains committed to executing its missions professionally, with strict adherence to rules of engagement and internationally recognised standards in civilian harm mitigation, as emphasised by Air Marshal Aneke.