The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), in its recent intense battle against insurgency in Borno State, has killed no fewer than 592 terrorists.
After Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), paid Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum a courtesy call, NAF spokesperson Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame revealed this in a statement on Tuesday.
Ejodame said that in the last eight months, 372 enemy assets were destroyed, which is more than all of the operational successes in 2024.
Air Marshal Abubakar described the successful offensive operations that preyed on critical terrorist infrastructure during his visit. He disclosed that 206 technical vehicles and 166 logistics hubs, located deep within hostile territory, had been destroyed by the airstrikes.
The airstrikes covered a number of key areas, including Azir to Mallam Fatori, Dikwa to Damboa, and Gonori to Rann.
Abubakar said, “The use of A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, which can conduct precision and night missions, Mi-171 helicopters for medical evacuation and logistics, and improved intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platforms for 24/7 target tracking, has accelerated the offensive.”
A Mi-35 gunship is scheduled to be added, he added, which should improve close-air support for ground forces involved in the ongoing counter-insurgency operations.
During the ongoing operations, Air Marshal Abubakar presented impressive statistics that demonstrated the NAF’s increased operational tempo.
“With the support of an upgraded fleet and precision night-strike capabilities, NAF aircraft completed 798 combat sorties and exceeded 1,500 operational flight hours in the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai,” he stated.
He emphasized that this year’s air campaign was “faster, sharper, and more surgical,” with the goal of destroying the logistics of high-value terrorists and eliminating any cell that poses a threat to the peace in the Northeast.
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In addition, the Chief of Air Staff praised the Borno Model, describing it as an effective strategy in the ongoing counter-insurgency efforts that blends community-driven non-kinetic measures with decisive military action.
“This model has been essential to the operation’s success,” he said.
To guarantee that the mission would continue to be successful, Abubakar also met with ground and aircrew, visited several facilities at the NAF Base, and received operational briefings.
The NAF’s dedication to interagency cooperation, intelligence-led operations, and precision air power to protect all Nigerians was reiterated by him.
In response, Governor Babagana Zulum thanked the Nigerian Air Force for its continuous and unshakable assistance in weakening the insurgents’ capabilities in the area.
He recognized the critical role the NAF plays in protecting communities in Borno.
“Our communities can now start rebuilding because of your operations, which have saved countless lives,” Zulum added.
The people of Borno acknowledge the sacrifices made by the NAF and remain steadfast in their support of them in their war against terrorism, he added.
Given that the NAF is regarded as a vital player in the fight to bring stability back to the Northeast, the ongoing air support and military operations in Borno demonstrate a commitment to regaining calm in the area.
