By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has intensified its relentless air operations, striking deep into terrorist strongholds across the North-East and North-West regions.
Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information, Gp Capt Kabiru Ali, in signed statement disclosed that in a series of decisive and precision-guided air interdiction missions between 17 and 19 March 2025, NAF aircraft obliterated fortified hideouts in Chiralia, Grazah, Yuwe, and Zango Hill, eliminating numerous fighters and crippling their operational networks.
According to Gp Capt Kabiru Ali, On 17 March 2025, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) launched a devastating airstrike on Chiralia, a notorious terrorist enclave within the Timbuktu Triangle.
“Intelligence reports revealed that the insurgents had been orchestrating violent raids along the Maiduguri-Damaturu and Damaturu-Biu highways, abducting civilians and plundering supplies.
“In response, a formidable force package of NAF attack aircraft unleashed a precise and overwhelming assault, obliterating multiple enemy structures and eliminating terrorists desperately attempting to escape with follow-up strikes.
“The following day, the NAF launched a devastating air interdiction operation at Grazah, a well-fortified terrorist hideout in the treacherous Mandara Mountains, and at Yuwe, a notorious insurgent stronghold in Sambisa Forest along the volatile Damboa-Bitta highway.
“Similarly, at Grazah, intelligence reports exposed extremist leaders indoctrinating fighters, reinforcing the urgency of the strike.
“In a ferocious assault, NAF fighter jets unleashed a relentless barrage of precision strikes on key targets advancing purposeful lethality.
Follow-up strikes intensified the offensive, obliterating fleeing terrorists at both locations and delivering a crushing blow to their operational networks.
“In the North-West region, the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) executed a relentless aerial assault in Zango Hill, Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State, in close coordination with ground forces. ISR missions uncovered armed bandits entrenched in the rugged high ground, triggering the swift deployment of NAF attack aircraft.
“The precision strikes pounded enemy positions, while follow-up bombardments targeted regrouping fighters attempting to evade destruction. NAF helicopters delivered decisive Close Air Support, raining fire on bandits engaging friendly forces, ensuring the unimpeded advance of ground troops. The operation annihilated multiple armed criminals and obliterated their fortified hideouts, further crippling their operational foothold.
“The recent NAF airstrikes have significantly disrupted terrorist activities across multiple regions. Intelligence assessments indicate that the strikes not only neutralised several high-value targets but also destroyed critical infrastructure used by the terrorists for logistics and coordination.
“The NAF remains committed to sustaining the momentum of air operations in close coordination with ground forces to ensure the restoration of peace and security in affected areas.”
