The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Thursday said as part of its effort in sustaining counterterrorism operations tempo in the North-East, its aircrafts executed decisive airstrikes on terrorist strongholds at Warawara, near Wajiroko, and Chinene in the Mandara Mountains, in Borno state, dealing a severe blow to insurgent activities.
Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF
Headquarters, Group Captain Kabiru Ali, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja.
According to him, guided by painstaking Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, NAF identified a number of terrorists stockpiling logistics and planting Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) around Wajiroko.
He said surveillance later tracked their movement to a concealed location housing a gun truck, ammunition stockpiles, and fuel reserves.
“In response, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) executed multiple waves of air interdiction (AI) missions. The first wave struck the terrorists’ logistics hub, destroying gun trucks and critical supplies.
“The other followed with sustained rocket and cannon attacks, ensuring the complete annihilation of terrorist’s assets,” he said.
He said later that day, NAF aircraft targeted another terrorist enclave at Chinene in the Mandara Mountains.
According to him, intelligence reports indicated that insurgents had relocated there following a previous air raid on Degbewa on 16 March 2025.
“Overhead reconnaissance confirmed the presence of active structures, prompting the execution of strikes that set terrorist hideouts ablaze. Fleeing insurgents were subsequently engaged and neutralized, further crippling their operational capacity,” he said.
He disclosed that battle damage assessment and corroboratory intelligence confirmed the neutralisation of scores of terrorist fighters.
He said the strikes also destroyed 4 terrorist gun trucks, 2 Toyota Hilux vehicles, and several makeshift shelters, forcing the insurgents to abandon their positions degrading their operational capabilities.
“These successful air interdiction missions underscore the NAF’s unwavering commitment to neutralizing insurgents, disrupting their logistics, and denying them safe havens.
With sustained pressure on terrorist elements, the NAF remains resolute in its mission to restore peace and security in the country,” he said.