NAF airstrikes destroy terrorist strongholds in Borno, several militants killed
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it has destroyed terrorist logistics hubs and assembly points during coordinated airstrikes carried out in parts of Borno State, as military operations against insurgents intensify across Nigeria’s North-East.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the strikes were conducted on May 19, 2026, by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI at Bukar Meram in the Southern Tumbuns and Chikide in the Mandara Mountains.
The statement said the operations followed credible intelligence and confirmatory Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions which identified terrorist enclaves and logistics bases hidden within the affected areas.
“Acting on credible intelligence and confirmatory Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions, NAF air assets destroyed terrorist logistics hubs, structures and assembly areas concealed within the enclaves,” the statement said.
It added that the strikes also led to the neutralisation of several insurgents and disrupted planned attacks.
“Several terrorists were neutralised during the operations, while planned attacks were disrupted,” Ejodame stated.
Speaking on the offensive, the Chief of the Air Staff, Sunday Kelvin Aneke, reaffirmed the Air Force’s commitment to sustaining joint military operations alongside other security agencies and allied partners.
“The Nigerian Air Force remains committed to sustaining coordinated joint operations with sister Services and allied partners to eliminate terrorism and restore peace across the country,” Aneke said.
Background
Nigeria’s counterterrorism campaign in the North-East has recently recorded intensified cooperation between Nigerian special operations forces and United States troops, particularly in intelligence-sharing, surveillance support and coordinated operations targeting ISIS-affiliated fighters and other extremist groups operating around the Lake Chad region and the Mandara Mountains. Recent offensives have focused on dismantling terrorist camps, disrupting supply routes and preventing planned attacks on military formations and civilian communities.
