By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has dealt another decisive blow to terrorists operating in the North-East, neutralising more than 15 fighters in a devastating air interdiction mission west of Zuwa in the Sambisa general area. The operation, conducted under the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), has been hailed as a clear demonstration of the force’s precision, reach, and unrelenting resolve in the ongoing counterterrorism campaign.
In a statement signed by the Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the mission was carried out on Wednesday, 3 September 2025, after credible intelligence and confirmatory surveillance identified a newly established terrorist enclave. The hideout, which housed both fighters and field commanders responsible for recent hostilities around Bitta, became the target of a carefully planned airstrike.
According to Ejodame, the strikes were devastatingly effective, neutralising over 15 terrorists and demolishing critical structures that supported their operations. “The mission underscores the Nigerian Air Force’s vigilance, professionalism, and decisive use of airpower in defence of national security,” he stated.
The operation marks another in a series of sustained efforts by the Air Component of OPHK to dismantle terrorist networks, disrupt their logistics, and provide direct support to ground troops conducting clearance operations across the region. Military sources emphasised that every successful strike not only degrades the fighting capability of the terrorists but also brings the nation closer to restoring peace and security to communities ravaged by insurgency.
“The Nigerian Air Force remains steadfast in its mission to safeguard the nation. Every successful strike brings Nigeria one step closer to lasting peace,” Air Commodore Ejodame affirmed.
