The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has launched coordinated airstrikes against terrorist hideouts, movement routes and assembly points across Nigeria’s North-East and North-West regions, recording heavy losses among armed groups.

The operations were carried out between January 1 and 3 by joint task forces under Operations HADIN KAI and FASAN YAMMA Sector 2, targeting key threat corridors identified through intelligence-led surveillance.

NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, saying the strikes were part of sustained efforts to degrade terrorist capabilities nationwide.

In the North-East, precision strikes hit well-concealed terrorist enclaves in Abirma and Chiralia within the Timbuktu Triangle. Persistent surveillance had earlier confirmed the presence of facilities linked to the production of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and coordinated attack planning.

“The strikes led to the complete destruction of identified structures, with multiple secondary explosions observed—clear evidence of the elimination of explosive stockpiles and key logistics,” Ejodame said.

He added that follow-up interdiction missions in Guva, Mandara Mountains, further dismantled terrorist storage and coordination hubs, significantly weakening their ability to regroup or launch attacks during and after the festive period.

Simultaneously, decisive airstrikes were executed in the North-West, particularly around Karaduwa Giginya Na in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State. Terrorist elements were tracked moving in large motorcycle convoys before being engaged at a forested convergence point.

Post-strike assessments and corroborated local intelligence confirmed the neutralisation of several terrorists, destruction of multiple motorcycles, and elimination of assorted weapons.

Ejodame noted that the multi-theatre operations demonstrate the NAF’s overwhelming airpower presence, rapid strike capability, and determination to dismantle terrorist networks across the country.

In a separate update, the NAF confirmed the recovery of one of its unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) that lost communication during a routine mission on January 2 within Operation FASAN YAMMA Sector 3.

According to the spokesperson, emergency procedures were immediately activated following the loss of link, and coordinated recovery efforts involving sister security agencies successfully secured the platform.

“There was no loss of life, and operations across all theatres remain uninterrupted,” Ejodame said, reassuring the public of the Air Force’s professionalism and continued focus on national security.