By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has carried out a devastating air interdiction operation against terrorist elements in Kangarwa within the Northern Tumbuns area of Borno State, eliminating scores of fighters and destroying key insurgent infrastructure.
The operation was conducted on April 1, 2026, by the Air Component of the Joint Task Force North East under Operation Hadin Kai, following credible intelligence on the presence and activities of terrorists within the enclave.
In a statement issued by the Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the precision strike was executed at about 12:05 p.m. after Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions confirmed the massing of terrorists and sustained hostile activity in the area.
According to the statement, several insurgents were observed moving around structures and concealed positions within the settlement before the air assault commenced.
“Following positive identification and target confirmation, NAF air assets conducted successive aggressive strike passes, delivering accurate fires on the identified locations,” Ejodame said.
He explained that the bombardment destroyed key structures used by the terrorists, including logistics hubs, and neutralised a large number of fighters within the enclave.
“The bombardment obliterated key structures, destroyed logistics hubs and neutralised scores of fighters, leaving the enclave severely degraded and its operational utility significantly diminished,” he said.
The airstrike also disrupted terrorist movement in the area and created favourable conditions for ground forces to advance and consolidate gains on the battlefield.
According to the Air Force spokesman, the operation is expected to enable ground troops to dominate the area and exploit the effects of the bombardment through sustained clearance operations.
The Nigerian Air Force further assessed that the strike dealt a major blow to fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), significantly weakening their command and support structures in the region.
Military authorities noted that the success of the operation underscores the growing synergy between air and ground forces operating under Operation Hadin Kai as part of the broader effort to eliminate terrorist safe havens in the North-East.
Reacting to the development, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven air operations against insurgent groups.
“The Nigerian Air Force will continue to deliver precision, intelligence-driven strikes in close coordination with surface forces until every terrorist enclave is dismantled and lasting security is restored,” Aneke said.
