By Deborah Nnamdi
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed that more than 40 terrorists were killed in coordinated air strikes carried out in the Azir and Musarram areas of Borno State, successfully thwarting planned attacks on civilian communities.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the NAF Spokesman, Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, who said the precision strikes were conducted on January 15 and 16 by air assets operating under the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai.
According to Ejodame, the operations followed credible intelligence reports indicating terrorist movements and imminent threats to nearby communities. He said NAF aircraft engaged the targets with precision, neutralising several terrorist elements.
He added that subsequent aerial scans revealed attempts by the terrorists to regroup under nearby tree cover, prompting successive air strikes that further degraded their numbers.
“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 explained that earlier on January 15, NAF air assets carried out 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 said.
Reacting to the operations, 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. He said the success of the strikes demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-led air power and close air–ground coordination in denying terrorists freedom of action.
Aneke assured Nigerians that sustained pressure would continue against terrorist elements as the Armed Forces of Nigeria intensify efforts to degrade their capabilities and stabilise affected areas.
