The Nigerian Air Force has confirmed that more than 40 terrorists were killed in coordinated airstrikes carried out in the Azir and Musarram areas of Borno State, disrupting planned attacks on civilian communities.
In a statement issued on Sunday, NAF spokesman Commodore Ehimen Ejodame said the precision strikes were conducted on January 15 and 16 by air assets operating under the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, following credible intelligence on terrorist movements and imminent threats to surrounding areas.
He said initial surveillance revealed terrorist elements attempting to regroup under nearby tree cover, prompting successive and precise airstrikes that neutralised several of them.
According to Ejodame, post-strike assessments showed no remaining threats, while feedback from ground troops, local authorities and community sources indicated a significant reduction in terrorist presence and a return of relative calm.
He explained that on January 15, NAF aircraft also carried out a successful air interdiction at Musarram in the Tumbuns general area after intelligence reports indicated terrorists were assembling on canoes to launch attacks along the Baga and Fish Dam axis.
On arrival, the aircraft reportedly sighted about 10 canoes and over 40 suspected terrorists, who were engaged in multiple attack passes, forcing them into disarray. Some fleeing elements were pursued and neutralised, while others who regrouped at an assembly point were also struck, effectively dismantling the concentration.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, reaffirmed the Air Force’s commitment to providing timely and decisive air support to ground forces, noting that the operations demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-led air power and close air-ground coordination in denying terrorists freedom of action.
He assured Nigerians that sustained pressure would continue on terrorist elements as efforts intensify to degrade their capabilities and stabilise affected areas.
