ABUJA, Jan 18 (AGCNewsNet) – The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has eliminated more than 40 terrorists in a series of precision air strikes carried out across Azir and Musarram areas of Borno State, delivering what military authorities described as a major blow to insurgent fighting capacity in the North-East.

The strikes were conducted on January 15 and 16, 2026, as part of intelligence-led close air support and air interdiction missions under Operation HADIN KAI. The Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the operations were executed in direct support of ground troops engaged with hostile elements.

According to Ejodame, one of the most decisive engagements occurred at Musarram in the Tumbuns general area, a region known for its waterways and use as an insurgent movement corridor. Upon arrival, NAF aircrew identified about 10 canoes carrying over 40 suspected terrorists.

“The targets were engaged in three successive, well-coordinated passes, which left the terrorists exposed and unable to mount any effective resistance,” Ejodame said. He added that fleeing fighters were pursued to nearby cover and subsequently neutralised.

Additional terrorist elements attempting to regroup at a nearby assembly area were also identified and struck, further increasing casualties and preventing any organised escape. Feedback from ground forces and local communities later confirmed that the concentration of terrorists in the area had been effectively dismantled.

Ejodame said the scale of the losses was the result of deliberate targeting aimed at disrupting planned attacks on Baga and the Fish Dam axis, both of which have been frequent targets of insurgent violence. “The operation effectively disrupted their planned attacks before they could be launched,” he noted.

In a related operation at Azir on January 16, NAF aircraft responded swiftly to troops in contact with terrorists withdrawing from the area. Aircrew identified additional hostile elements regrouping under tree cover and engaged them decisively, inflicting further casualties.

Reacting to the outcome, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, described the neutralisation of over 40 terrorists as a clear demonstration of the Nigerian Air Force’s growing combat effectiveness.

“These operations demonstrate the Nigerian Air Force’s capacity to deliver overwhelming force against terrorist concentrations whenever credible intelligence is available,” Aneke said. He stressed that denying insurgents the ability to mass, regroup, or move freely was key to degrading their operational capability.

The Air Chief reassured Nigerians that sustained pressure would continue, saying the NAF would maintain relentless air operations to protect troops and civilians and ensure terrorists suffer heavy losses wherever they attempt to operate.

Ejodame added that the success of the missions highlights the effectiveness of integrated air–ground collaboration under Operation HADIN KAI and reflects the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s determination to weaken terrorist networks through precision, speed, and sustained air dominance.

Stay connected with AGC NewsNet for the latest news from Africa.