NAF Destroys Terrorist Hideouts in Massive North-East Air Offensive

The Nigerian Air Force has intensified its ongoing air campaign against terrorist elements in the North-East, carrying out precision strikes that destroyed hideouts and logistics hubs in Bukar Meram, located in the Southern Tumbuns, as well as Chikide in the Mandara Mountains.

According to a statement released by the Director of Public Relations and Information for the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the operation was executed under Operation Hadin Kai following credible intelligence and confirmatory Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

The Air Force explained that its aircraft conducted targeted air raids on identified terrorist enclaves, successfully destroying logistics facilities, structures and assembly points that were being used for coordination and operational planning by insurgents.

The statement further confirmed that several terrorists were neutralised during the strikes, while planned attacks in the affected regions were effectively disrupted.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, described the operation as part of sustained efforts to ensure coordinated joint operations with sister services and allied security agencies in the fight against terrorism and other security threats across Nigeria.

He reiterated that intelligence-driven air operations would continue to focus on locating and destroying terrorist hideouts, supply networks and operational bases wherever they are found, as part of broader efforts to restore peace and stability.

The report also highlighted Nigeria’s push for stronger African-led security cooperation in addressing terrorism and emerging threats across the continent.

Air Marshal Aneke made this known while chairing the 2026 African Air Chiefs’ Symposium held in Tunis, Tunisia, under the Association of African Air Forces (AAAF).

According to the Air Force spokesperson, the symposium brought together Air Chiefs, senior military officials and defence partners from across Africa to strengthen collaboration in airpower development, interoperability and coordinated security operations.

The CAS noted that the theme of the symposium, “Operationalising the Association of African Air Forces: A New Era of Shared Responsibility,” reflects the urgent need for African countries to jointly develop sustainable responses to evolving security challenges.

He warned that terrorism, insurgency, transnational crime and humanitarian crises continue to threaten peace and stability across the continent, making collaboration, intelligence sharing and joint operations increasingly necessary.

Aneke stressed that no single country can effectively tackle today’s complex security threats alone, adding that collective strength remains key to defeating extremist networks.

He also referenced progress made through previous joint exercises, including the Table-Top Exercise held in Zambia in 2025, which is part of preparations for a larger Field Training Exercise scheduled for Kenya in 2027.

On the sidelines of the symposium, the Air Chief held bilateral and multilateral engagements with partner nations aimed at improving training, intelligence sharing and joint counter-terrorism operations.

The Nigerian Air Force said these engagements reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to building stronger regional partnerships for enhanced operational effectiveness and continental stability.

At the end of the symposium, Air Marshal Aneke was unanimously re-elected Chairman of the Association of African Air Forces for another two-year term, reflecting the confidence of member states in his leadership.

He also emphasized the importance of political support, intelligence cooperation, interoperability, and logistics coordination in strengthening Africa’s collective airpower capabilities.