NAF Air Strikes Destroy Terrorist Hideouts in Southern Tumbuns, Mandara Mountains
Oru Leonard
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), under the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI, has intensified its counterterrorism campaign in the North-East, carrying out precision air strikes on terrorist strongholds in Bukar Meram within the Southern Tumbuns and Chikide in the Mandara Mountains.
The operations, conducted on May 19, 2026, targeted terrorist logistics hubs, assembly points and concealed structures believed to be used for planning attacks and coordinating insurgent activities.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the strikes followed credible intelligence reports and confirmatory Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions which verified the presence of terrorist elements in the affected enclaves.
The NAF disclosed that its air assets successfully destroyed several structures and logistics facilities while neutralising a number of terrorists during the offensive. The operation also reportedly disrupted planned attacks by the insurgents.
Speaking on the development, the Chief of the Air Staff, Sunday Kelvin Aneke, reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to sustained joint operations aimed at eradicating terrorism and restoring peace across the country.
He stated that the NAF would continue to deploy intelligence-driven air operations in collaboration with sister security services and allied partners to identify and destroy terrorist hideouts, logistics networks and operational bases wherever they are located.
The latest strikes form part of ongoing military efforts to degrade terrorist capabilities and strengthen security operations across the North-East region.
