The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed the neutralisation of more than 25 terrorists in coordinated night airstrikes across Borno and Yobe States. The operation, which targeted insurgent hideouts in the Bula area of Yobe and the Banki axis of Borno, struck at two notorious terror corridors in the North-East.

Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed in a statement on Saturday that the strikes were executed on September 18 after actionable intelligence was provided by ground forces. According to him, the mission was powered by a combination of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets and strike aircraft which tracked the movements of terrorist groups massing north of Banki.

“The strike aircraft engaged the terrorists in three successive precision strikes along their movement routes and assembly points, effectively neutralising more than 25 fighters,” Ejodame said. He added that real-time updates were relayed to ground units, enabling seamless coordination between air and land forces. Post-strike surveillance, he noted, confirmed that friendly forces maintained defensive positions with no further threats observed.

The spokesperson stressed that the operation underscores the Air Force’s resolve to deny terrorists freedom of action while boosting the confidence of ground troops defending vulnerable communities. The offensive also comes on the heels of renewed insurgent attacks, including the September assault on Darajamal community in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, where no fewer than 63 people, including five soldiers, were killed by Boko Haram fighters. Governor Babagana Zulum, who described the massacre as “very sad,” confirmed that the attackers razed houses and vehicles before military reinforcement arrived.