By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), through the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI, has intensified ongoing counterterrorism operations in the North-East with precision airstrikes targeting terrorist strongholds in Bukar Meram within the Southern Tumbuns and Chikide in the Mandara Mountains.
According to an official signed statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the coordinated air operations were carried out on 19 May 2026 following credible intelligence and confirmatory Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
The statement disclosed that NAF air assets successfully destroyed terrorist logistics hubs, structures and assembly areas concealed within the enclaves, while several terrorists were also neutralised during the operation.
The Nigerian Air Force noted that the strikes disrupted planned terrorist attacks and dealt a significant blow to the operational capabilities of the insurgents operating within the affected locations.
Speaking on the sustained offensive operations, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Air Force to coordinated joint operations alongside sister Services and allied partners aimed at eliminating terrorism and restoring lasting peace across the country.
Air Marshal Aneke stressed that intelligence-driven air operations would continue to target and destroy terrorist hideouts, logistics networks and operational bases wherever they are located in order to degrade the capabilities of criminal elements threatening national security.
