The Nigerian Air Force, operating under the joint task force of Operation Hadin Kai, has carried out a coordinated air interdiction at AbbagaJiri in the Timbuktu Triangle in Borno State.

 

The Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, on Saturday, stated in a release that the feat was achieved following multi-source intelligence that confirmed active terrorist presence, structures, and concealed logistics facilities in the area.

 

According to the statement, following intelligence, NAF air assets were then employed in integrated surveillance and precision strike roles to engage identified targets.

 

“The operation was deliberately designed to degrade terrorist capability, deny sanctuary, and shape the battlespace for ground forces, in strict adherence to established rules of engagement and the protection of non-combatants,” the statement read in part.

 

 

 

Commenting on the operation, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, said the mission “demonstrates our unwavering commitment to delivering precise and decisive airpower in support of ground forces. We will continue to deny terrorists freedom of movement, sanctuary, and logistics wherever they seek to hide.”

 

“The identified terrorist structures were decisively engaged and destroyed, denying the terrorists freedom of action, while a follow-up engagement neutralised armed elements observed converging on the location.

 

“Subsequent advances by ground troops into the area confirmed the effectiveness of the air strikes and validated the success of the joint air–land operation,” CAS said.

 

 

 

Reaffirming NAF’s operational posture, he said, “Our operations are carefully planned and intelligence-led, ensuring maximum effect on hostile elements while safeguarding innocent civilians. The Nigerian Air Force will sustain pressure until terrorist networks are completely dismantled.”

 

“Our operations are carefully planned and intelligence-led, ensuring maximum effect on hostile elements while safeguarding innocent civilians. The Nigerian Air Force will sustain pressure until terrorist networks are completely dismantled,” he added.

 

A similar operation took place in December 2025, when the Nigerian Air Force carried out two strikes on bandit positions in the Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

 

The strikes, conducted under the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma, Sector 2, targeted Turba Hill and a camp linked to a bandit leader identified as Kachalla Dogo Sule.

 

Air Commodore Ejodame stated that the operations followed “credible, multi-source intelligence on bandit activities in the area.”