In a renewed offensive against insurgency in the North-East, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed the successful execution of precision airstrikes targeting key Boko Haram strongholds in Borno State, resulting in the neutralisation of several terrorists and the destruction of vital logistics infrastructure.
The operation, which was carried out under the military’s counter-insurgency campaign Operation HADIN KAI, took place on June 5 and 6, 2025, specifically focusing on identified terrorist hideouts in Tumbumma Baba and Chiralia, both located in the Southern Tumbuns region of the Lake Chad axis.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, disclosed that the strikes were based on credible and actionable intelligence which revealed the presence of Boko Haram elements coordinating logistics and storing supplies in the targeted locations.
“The Nigerian Air Force, acting on intelligence reports, deployed aircraft to strike key Boko Haram operational hubs in the Southern Tumbuns,” the statement read. “These locations were reportedly being used for storing weapons, fuel, and other supplies essential to the insurgents’ movement and operations.”
Gabkwet further explained that the objective of the mission was not only to disrupt terrorist activities but to cripple any planned attacks aimed at destabilizing the region during the Eid-el-Kabir festivities.
“By eliminating these threats ahead of the Sallah celebrations, the Nigerian Air Force has taken proactive steps to ensure the safety of civilians and maintain security across volatile regions in Borno State,” he said.
According to Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) conducted post-strike, multiple insurgents were confirmed neutralised, and critical infrastructure used by the terrorists for operational planning and logistics support was effectively decimated. The assessment also revealed that the strikes successfully crippled planned enemy offensives, thereby weakening Boko Haram’s ability to coordinate future attacks.
The precision nature of the strikes underscores the NAF’s growing reliance on intelligence-led air operations as part of its broader counterterrorism strategy.
The successful mission further demonstrates the military’s resolve to dismantle the remnants of insurgent networks operating in the region and its continued commitment to protecting national sovereignty and ensuring public safety.
The Nigerian Air Force reiterated its commitment to joint operations with other branches of the armed forces and security agencies to rid the country of terrorism and violent extremism, particularly in the North-East.