By Harriet Tornguvan
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has intensified air interdiction operations against terrorist groups in the North-East and North-West, carrying out coordinated strikes between January 1 and 2, 2026, aimed at crippling insurgent networks and denying them safe havens.
The operations were conducted under the joint task forces of Operations HADIN KAI and FASAN YAMMA Sector 2, following intelligence reports on terrorist movements, logistics and planned attacks.
According to the Air Force, air assets were deployed to strike identified hideouts, assembly areas and movement routes as part of efforts to restrict the operational capabilities of the groups.
In the North-East, precision air strikes targeted terrorist enclaves at Abirma and Chiralia within the Timbuktu Triangle after surveillance confirmed the presence of facilities linked to the production of improvised explosive devices and attack planning.
The Air Force authority said the strikes destroyed the targeted structures, with secondary explosions observed, suggesting the destruction of explosive stockpiles and logistics.
Further interdiction operations were carried out at Guva in the Mandara Mountains, where additional terrorist storage and coordination locations were hit, significantly disrupting the ability of the groups to regroup or mount attacks.
The campaign was also extended to the North-West, where air strikes were conducted around Karaduwa Giginya Na in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Additionally, the Air Force said terrorist elements moving in large motorcycle convoys were engaged at a forested convergence point. Post-strike assessments and local reports indicated that several fighters were neutralised, multiple motorcycles destroyed and weapons eliminated.
The Nigerian Air Force said the operations demonstrated its capacity for rapid response and sustained airpower across multiple theatres, adding that the campaign would continue in support of troops on the ground.
The assurance was contained in a statement signed by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.
