NAF airstrikes destroy terrorist strongholds in Borno, Adamawa
By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has intensified its offensive against terrorist elements in the North-East, destroying key strongholds and logistics hubs during coordinated airstrikes in parts of Borno and Adamawa states.
The precision strikes, carried out on May 19, 2026, targeted Bukar Meram in the Southern Tumbuns axis and Chikide in the Mandara Mountains, following credible intelligence and surveillance reports on terrorist activities in the areas.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the operations were conducted by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI as part of sustained efforts to degrade terrorist capabilities across the region.
According to the statement, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions confirmed the presence of terrorist logistics hubs, structures and assembly points concealed within the enclaves before the strikes were executed.
“The Nigerian Air Force, through the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI, intensified ongoing air offensives against terrorist elements in the North-East with precision air strikes conducted on 19 May 2026 at Bukar Meram in the Southern Tumbuns and Chikide in the Mandara Mountains,” the statement read.
NAF disclosed that several terrorists were neutralised during the operations, while planned attacks by the insurgents were also disrupted.
Reacting to the development, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, reaffirmed the Air Force’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations in collaboration with other security agencies and allied partners.
He stressed that the military would continue to identify and destroy terrorist hideouts, logistics networks and operational bases in a bid to restore lasting peace and security across the country.
The latest offensive comes amid renewed military operations targeting insurgent enclaves in the Lake Chad region and the Mandara Mountain corridor, both considered major hideouts for terrorist groups operating in the North-East.