NAF Intensifies Airstrikes, Cripples Terrorist Networks in North-East and North-West
Oru Leonard
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has launched a relentless air interdiction campaign against terrorist elements in the North-East and North-West regions, targeting their hideouts, supply routes, and assembly areas. The operations, conducted between January 1 and 2, 2026, have resulted in significant losses for the terrorists, with multiple structures destroyed and explosive stockpiles eliminated.
According to Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, the strikes were intelligence-led and aimed at denying terrorists freedom of movement and operational depth. The NAF has assured Nigerians that these operations will continue with precision, persistence, and professionalism, supporting joint forces on the ground.
In the North-East theatre, successive precision strikes were delivered against deeply concealed terrorist enclaves at Abirma and Chiralia within the Timbuktu Triangle, following persistent surveillance that confirmed active facilities linked to improvised explosive device production and attack planning. The strikes resulted in the complete destruction of targeted structures, with multiple secondary explosions observed, clear indicators of the elimination of explosive stockpiles and critical logistics. Follow-on interdiction operations at Guva in the Mandara Mountains further dismantled terrorist storage and coordination nodes, severely degrading their ability to regroup, resupply, or mount attacks during the festive period and beyond.
The campaign was simultaneously extended into the North-West with a decisive air interdiction mission around Karaduwa Giginya Na in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State. Terrorist elements movement activities were tracked while moving in large motorcycle convoys and engaged at a forested convergence point. Post-strike assessments and corroborated local feedback confirmed the neutralisation of several terrorists, the destruction of multiple motorcycles, and the elimination of assorted weapons. These sustained, multi-theatre strikes underscore the Nigerian Air Force’s overwhelming airpower presence, rapid strike capability, and unwavering resolve to systematically dismantle terrorist networks.
The Nigerian Air Force assures Nigerians that these operations will continue with precision, persistence, and professionalism in support of joint forces on the ground. Terrorist elements threatening innocent lives will be met with decisive force. The Service remains fully committed to protecting civilians, supporting national security objectives, and restoring lasting peace and stability across all theatres of operation.
(NAF Media, 3 January 2026)
