NAF Ramps Up Air Strikes, Destroys Terrorist Strongholds in Sambisa, Tumbuns
Oru Leonard
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has escalated its aerial offensive in Nigeria’s North-East, delivering sustained precision strikes that have significantly weakened terrorist networks operating in Sambisa Forest and the Tumbuns.
Operating under the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI, NAF air assets carried out a series of coordinated missions based on credible intelligence, targeting insurgent hideouts, logistics bases, and fortified enclaves. The strikes reportedly neutralised numerous fighters and destroyed critical infrastructure used by the terrorists.
On April 30, 2026, NAF aircraft conducted a high-impact Air Interdiction mission at Alafa within the Sambisa axis. The operation successfully engaged and eliminated identified terrorist facilities and supply hubs through multiple precision strike runs.
The momentum continued on May 1, 2026, with another decisive assault on insurgent positions at Metele in the Tumbuns area. Surveillance had revealed a heavily fortified island base, complete with defensive trench systems, storage facilities, and a concentration of fighters. NAF jets responded with overwhelming firepower, decimating the stronghold and inflicting significant losses on the insurgents.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Sunday Kelvin Aneke, praised the professionalism and effectiveness of NAF personnel, reaffirming the Force’s determination to sustain pressure on terrorist elements. He emphasized that operations would intensify until all threats to national security are fully neutralised.
The ongoing campaign underscores a strategy of relentless aerial dominance aimed at denying insurgents the ability to regroup or sustain operations in the region.
