insurgent

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has carried out a series of precision airstrikes targeting insurgent strongholds in the Southern Tumbuns area of Borno State, eliminating several fighters and destroying key logistics facilities.

The operation, executed by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, followed weeks of intelligence gathering through surveillance missions that identified high-value targets within the difficult marshland terrain of the Lake Chad Basin.

According to a statement released on Friday by NAF spokesperson Ehimen Ejodame, the strikes hit a command-and-control hub used by insurgents, along with makeshift structures believed to house weapons and fuel supplies.

He said the mission was conducted with precision to limit collateral damage, adding that post-strike assessments confirmed the destruction of multiple camps and storage facilities, as well as the neutralisation of several insurgents, including key figures.

Military sources indicated that at least three camps and two major fuel depots were destroyed during the operation, dealing a significant blow to the operational capacity of armed groups linked to Islamic State West Africa Province and Boko Haram. Unverified reports suggest that more than 20 fighters may have been killed in the initial strikes.

The Southern Tumbuns region has long posed a challenge for ground troops due to its dense vegetation and swampy landscape. Air operations, however, have enabled the military to strike deep into areas previously considered difficult to access.

Security analysts say the destruction of the camps and fuel reserves could disrupt insurgents’ ability to launch attacks on surrounding communities and military positions.

The latest operation comes amid intensified military efforts in the North-East following recent security incidents in Maiduguri. President Bola Tinubu had directed security agencies to step up operations against insurgent enclaves, prompting a shift toward more proactive offensives.

Chief of Air Staff Hasan Abubakar commended the air personnel involved, reaffirming the Air Force’s commitment to sustaining pressure on insurgent groups.

Meanwhile, troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force have commenced follow-up ground operations in the area to prevent any regrouping by fleeing fighters.