The Nigerian Air Force has carried out a successful air strike on a terrorists’ camp at Abbaga Jiri in the Timbuktu Triangle area of Borno State.
The operation was conducted under the joint task force, Operation HADIN KAI, and followed credible intelligence confirming the presence of terrorists, their hideouts and logistics facilities in the area.
The Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
According to him, the operation was based on intelligence gathered from multiple sources, which revealed active terrorist elements operating within the location.
Following this, NAF air assets were deployed for surveillance and precision strikes on the identified targets.
“The operation was deliberately designed to degrade terrorist capability, deny sanctuary, and shape the battlespace for ground forces, in strict adherence to established rules of engagement and the protection of non-combatants,” the statement said.
Reacting to the development, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, said the mission showed the Air Force’s resolve to support ground troops in the fight against terrorism.
“This mission demonstrates our unwavering commitment to delivering precise and decisive airpower in support of ground forces. We will continue to deny terrorists freedom of movement, sanctuary, and logistics wherever they seek to hide,” Aneke said.
He explained that terrorist structures in the area were successfully destroyed during the operation.
“The identified terrorist structures were decisively engaged and destroyed, denying the terrorists freedom of action, while a follow-up engagement neutralised armed elements observed converging on the location,” he said.
According to the Air Chief, ground troops later advanced into the area and confirmed the impact of the air strikes.
“Subsequent advances by ground troops into the area confirmed the effectiveness of the air strikes and validated the success of the joint air–land operation,” he said.
Reaffirming the NAF’s stance, Aneke said air operations would continue until terrorist networks are dismantled.
“Our operations are carefully planned and intelligence-led, ensuring maximum effect on hostile elements while safeguarding innocent civilians. The Nigerian Air Force will sustain pressure until terrorist networks are completely dismantled,” he said.
The latest operation comes weeks after a similar air strike carried out in December 2025, when NAF bombed bandit camps in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
That operation, conducted under Operation Fansan Yamma, targeted Turba Hill and a camp linked to a bandit leader identified as Kachalla Dogo Sule.
Ejodame had said the Zamfara strikes were also based on “credible, multi-source intelligence on bandit activities in the area.”
