The Air Component of Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai has neutralised 27 terrorists in separate air interdiction missions targeting terrorist strongholds in the Southern and Northern Tumbus areas of Borno State.
According to an operational report released by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, the successful strikes followed extensive Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations conducted across the North-East theatre.
The report indicated that air assets, including Dragon attack platforms and ISR aircraft, carried out a targeted air interdiction mission at Dawoshe, a known terrorist enclave located in the Southern Tumbus area.
The operation was conducted at approximately 12:40 a.m. on June 10 after surveillance missions detected suspicious terrorist movements within the area.
During the aerial reconnaissance, terrorists’ vehicles were identified and tracked before being engaged by the attacking aircraft.
According to the report, the airstrike successfully destroyed the vehicles and neutralised 12 terrorists operating within the enclave.
“Battle Damage Assessment revealed that the vehicles were destroyed while 12 terrorists were neutralised during the operation,” the report stated.
On the same day, the Air Component launched another precision strike targeting terrorist positions in Metele, located within the Northern Tumbus area of Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State.
The operation focused on disrupting terrorist activities and dismantling operational bases believed to be supporting insurgent activities around the Lake Chad region.
Post-strike assessments conducted through Battle Damage Assessment and corroborated by Human Intelligence (HUMINT) sources confirmed that 15 terrorists were killed during the mission.
The report noted that the strikes dealt a significant setback to terrorist elements operating within the Tumbus hideouts and surrounding Lake Chad fringes.
Military authorities said the operations formed part of a broader strategy aimed at degrading terrorist capabilities, disrupting logistics and supply networks, and restricting insurgents’ freedom of movement across the North-East.
The Tumbus region, characterised by difficult terrain and marshy hideouts around the Lake Chad basin, has long served as a sanctuary for terrorist groups operating in the area.
Security forces have intensified aerial and ground operations in recent months to dismantle these enclaves and deny insurgents the ability to regroup or launch attacks on civilian communities and military formations.
According to the report, a total of 27 terrorists were neutralised during the two coordinated air operations conducted within the review period.
The Nigerian Air Force reaffirmed its commitment to supporting ongoing counter-terrorism efforts and maintaining pressure on terrorist elements across the region.
The report also reiterated the determination of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to sustain offensive operations until terrorist networks are dismantled and lasting peace and security are restored to affected communities.
Military authorities stressed that intelligence-driven operations remain a critical component of the campaign against insurgency, enabling precision strikes against identified targets while limiting collateral damage.
The latest air operations underscore the continued collaboration between intelligence units, air assets and ground forces under Operation Hadin Kai in the fight against terrorism in the North-East.
