NAF neutralises over 40 terrorists in Borno air operations

The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, has neutralised more than 40 terrorists during coordinated close air support and air interdiction operations in Azir and Musarram areas of Borno State.

The operations were carried out on January 15 and 16 by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI, following actionable intelligence and in close coordination with ground troops.

This was disclosed in a statement on Sunday in Abuja by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.

According to him, NAF aircraft, in the early hours of January 16, responded swiftly to a distress call from troops engaged with terrorists withdrawing from Azir.

Further reconnaissance revealed the terrorists attempting to regroup under nearby tree cover, prompting precise and successive airstrikes 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,” Ejodame said.

He added that on January 15, NAF air assets also conducted a successful air interdiction 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.

“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 development, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, reaffirmed the NAF’s commitment to providing timely and decisive air support to ground forces.

Aneke said the operations underscored the effectiveness of intelligence-led air power and close air–ground coordination in denying terrorists freedom of action.

He assured Nigerians of sustained pressure on terrorist elements as the Armed Forces of Nigeria continue efforts to degrade their capabilities and stabilise affected areas.

Azir and Musarram, both located in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State, have remained hotspots of persistent insecurity linked to Boko Haram and its splinter group, ISWAP.