NAF Air Strikes Destroy Terrorist Enclave, Kill Scores in Lake Chad Region
Oru Leonard
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has recorded a major operational success in the ongoing counterterrorism campaign in the North-East, following precision air strikes that destroyed a terrorist enclave and neutralised scores of insurgents in the Lake Chad region.
The operation, carried out by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI in the early hours of June 10, 2026, targeted terrorist positions at Metele in the Northern Tumbuns area of the Lake Chad Basin. According to the NAF, the mission was launched after credible intelligence and Intelligence,
Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions confirmed the presence of a senior terrorist commander, hideouts and increased terrorist activities in the area.
NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said air assets were deployed to engage the identified targets after intelligence reports revealed significant terrorist presence within concealed structures.
He explained that upon arrival, aircrew observed substantial movement of suspected terrorists around the targeted locations, confirming hostile activity before carrying out precision strikes.
“The aircraft executed devastating strikes on the designated locations following positive target identification,” he said.
A post-strike Battle Damage Assessment reportedly confirmed the destruction of the terrorist enclave and the neutralisation of scores of terrorists.
Reacting to the successful operation, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, commended the personnel involved and reiterated the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to sustaining pressure on terrorist groups across the country.
“We will continue to leverage our air power capabilities to locate, strike and destroy terrorist targets wherever they are found. The Nigerian Air Force remains resolute in denying terrorists freedom of action and ensuring they have no safe haven within our sovereign territory,” Aneke said.
The latest operation is part of ongoing efforts by the military to degrade terrorist capabilities and restore security in the Lake Chad Basin and other troubled areas of the North-East.
