The Nigerian Air Force has announced that more than 40 terrorists were eliminated during coordinated air operations in the Azir and Musarram areas of Borno State, successfully preventing planned attacks on civilian communities.
In a statement issued on Sunday, NAF spokesperson, Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed that the precision air strikes were carried out on January 15 and 16 based on credible intelligence reports indicating imminent threats by terrorist groups in the area.
Ejodame explained that the operations were conducted by NAF aircraft under the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, following confirmed intelligence on terrorist movements and preparations to launch attacks on nearby communities. He said the air strikes were carefully executed to disrupt and neutralise the threats.
According to him, surveillance after the initial strikes revealed that some terrorist elements attempted to regroup under nearby tree cover, prompting additional, targeted air strikes that successfully 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 further noted that earlier on January 15, NAF air assets carried out a successful interdiction mission at Musarram in the Tumbuns general area after intelligence showed terrorists assembling on canoes to launch coordinated attacks along the Baga and Fish Dam axis.
He said that upon arrival, the aircraft identified about 10 canoes and more than 40 suspected terrorists, who were engaged through multiple passes, causing confusion and disruption among them.
“Some fleeing elements were trailed and neutralised, while others who regrouped at an assembly area were also engaged, effectively dismantling the terrorist concentration,” he added.
Reacting to the operations, 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 troops engaged in counter-terrorism operations.
Aneke said the success of the missions highlighted the effectiveness of intelligence-driven air power and strong coordination between air and ground forces in denying terrorists the freedom to operate.
He assured Nigerians that sustained pressure would continue to be applied on terrorist groups as the Armed Forces of Nigeria intensify efforts to weaken their operational capacity and restore stability in affected areas.
What you should know
The air strikes in Azir and Musarram form part of ongoing military operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks in Borno State and the wider North-East.
Operation Hadin Kai combines air and ground forces to respond swiftly to intelligence on planned attacks. The Nigerian Air Force says such intelligence-led missions are crucial to protecting civilian communities, limiting terrorist mobility, and restoring calm in previously volatile areas.
The military maintains that sustained operations remain key to degrading insurgent capabilities and improving security across the region.
