NAF Airstrikes Eliminate Over 40 Terrorists in Borno

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has killed more than 40 terrorists during coordinated close air support and air interdiction missions in the Azir and Musarram areas of Borno State, dealing a major blow to planned attacks and strengthening ongoing ground operations.

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

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

He explained that in the early hours of January 16, NAF aircraft responded swiftly to a distress call from Azir, where ground troops were engaged with terrorists attempting to withdraw from the area. Subsequent surveillance detected the terrorists trying to regroup under nearby tree cover, leading to precise and repeated airstrikes that neutralised several of them.

“Post-strike assessments revealed no remaining threats, while feedback from ground troops, local authorities and community sources confirmed a significant reduction in terrorist activity and the restoration of relative calm,” Ejodame said.

He added that a day earlier, on January 15, NAF air assets conducted a successful air interdiction mission at Musarram in the Tumbuns general area after intelligence indicated that terrorists were assembling in canoes to launch attacks along the Baga and Fish Dam axis.

“Upon arrival, the aircraft identified about 10 canoes and more than 40 suspected terrorists. Multiple attack runs were carried out, throwing the terrorists into disarray. Some fleeing elements were pursued and neutralised, while others who regrouped at an assembly point were also engaged, effectively dismantling the concentration,” he said.

Reacting to the development, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, reaffirmed the NAF’s resolve to provide prompt and decisive air support to ground forces. He noted that the operations underscored the effectiveness of intelligence-driven air power and close air–ground coordination in denying terrorists freedom of action.

Aneke assured Nigerians that sustained pressure would continue to be applied on terrorist elements as the Armed Forces of Nigeria intensify efforts to degrade their capabilities and restore stability to affected areas.

Azir and Musarram, both in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State, have remained flashpoints of insecurity due to the activities of Boko Haram and its splinter faction, ISWAP.

Troops operating around Wajiroko in the Azir Multe area were ambushed in November 2025, resulting in the deaths of soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, including the execution of a captured Brigadier General, Musa Uba.