NAF intensifies airstrikes, neutralises terrorists and bandits across five states
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has intensified its nationwide counterterrorism and counter-banditry campaign, launching precision airstrikes that neutralised Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters and destroyed multiple criminal hideouts across Borno, Kwara, Katsina, Zamfara, and Kaduna States.
According to a statement by NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the coordinated strikes conducted on November 9, 2025, marked a major escalation under ongoing joint military operations — Operation HADIN KAI in the North East and Operation FANSAN YAMMA in the North West.
In Borno State, air interdiction missions targeted ISWAP enclaves in the Northern Tumbuns, particularly around Mallam Fatori and Shuwaram. Using real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) data, NAF aircraft struck terrorist positions, logistics hubs, and weapon storage facilities. The attacks reportedly killed several insurgents and severely degraded their operational capacity along the Lake Chad Basin.
Similar precision missions were executed over Garin Dandi and Chigogo in Kwara State, where bandit camps were struck with devastating accuracy, inflicting heavy casualties. In Katsina State, under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, NAF aircraft attacked Zango Hill in Kankara Local Government Area — the hideout of a notorious terrorist leader and his fighters — destroying key logistics points and neutralising several militants.
Further reconnaissance operations extended across Zamfara, Kebbi, and Kaduna States, covering suspected bandit routes and hideouts in Kakihum, Dankolo, Kotonkoro, Kuyello, and along the Birnin Gwari–Funtua axis. During the mission, terrorists attempting to flee on motorcycles near Wam Hill were engaged and neutralised by NAF aircraft.
Ejodame noted that the success of the latest operations underscores NAF’s enhanced precision capabilities and renewed operational tempo under the directive of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke.
“These missions reaffirm the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to deploying smarter, intelligence-driven airpower to decisively target insurgents and criminals, ensuring the safety of citizens and the security of the nation,” the statement added.
