By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), operating under the Theatre of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), has dealt another decisive blow to terrorist elements in the North East with a successful precision air interdiction that neutralised more than 35 fighters. The operation, carried out in the early hours of Saturday, 23 August 2025, followed an attempted attack on ground troops at Kumshe, a border community close to Cameroon.
Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed in an official statement that the air interdiction was executed after multiple intelligence reports indicated a mass convergence of terrorists near the Nigeria–Cameroon border. According to him, the Air Component launched coordinated precision strikes in successive passes, engaging the insurgents across four identified assembly areas and neutralising more than 35 of them.
He further revealed that after the operation, communication was re-established with ground troops, who confirmed that the situation around their location had been stabilised. This, he noted, underscored the synergy between the Air Component and land forces in maintaining operational dominance and denying terrorists freedom of action in the region.
The latest operation, he added, demonstrates the NAF’s unwavering commitment to providing close air support to ground troops, while also disrupting terrorist logistics networks and movement corridors along the volatile border region.
Commending the gallantry of the troops and the precision of the aircrew, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, praised the professionalism displayed during the mission. He reaffirmed that the Nigerian Air Force will sustain aggressive, intelligence-driven operations until terrorist elements threatening Nigeria’s sovereignty are completely degraded.
“The Nigerian Air Force will not relent in its duty to safeguard the nation’s territorial integrity. We will continue to execute decisive strikes against any group that threatens our national security,” Air Marshal Abubakar assured.
The success at Kumshe adds to a series of intensified operations under Operation Hadin Kai, aimed at breaking the will and capability of terrorist groups in the North East.
