The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said it has neutralised not fewer than 592 terrorists and destroyed 372 assets in eight months of intensified clearance operations against insurgents in Borno State.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, disclosed this during a visit to Governor Babagana Zulum in Maiduguri on Tuesday.
He said the operations, carried out under Operation Hadin Kai, involved 798 combat sorties and over 1,500 flight hours, targeting terrorist strongholds and logistics routes.
According to him, airstrikes destroyed 206 technical vehicles and 166 logistics hubs in remote locations, significantly disrupting the activities of Boko Haram and ISWAP.
“From Gonori to Rann, Dikwa to Damboa, Azir to Mallam Fatori, NAF aircraft have conducted coordinated day-and-night operations in challenging terrain, enabled by A-29 Super Tucanos, Mi-171 helicopters, and advanced ISR platforms for continuous target tracking.”
Abubakar added that the deployment of a new Mi-35 gunship would further boost air support for ground troops.
The CAS also inspected facilities at the Maiduguri NAF Base, interacted with personnel, and received operational briefings, underscoring the Air Force’s continued commitment to leveraging air power, intelligence, and inter-agency collaboration to safeguard Nigeria’s territorial integrity and the lives of its citizens.
Governor Babagana Zulum commended the NAF for its vital role in degrading terrorist capabilities and safeguarding communities, acknowledging that its efforts had saved lives and facilitated the rebuilding of towns across the state.
Air Marshal Abubakar also praised the Governor for the State’s “Borno Model”, a blend of community-driven, non-kinetic engagement with decisive military action, describing it as a winning formula in counter-insurgency efforts.
He reaffirmed that the NAF’s mission goes beyond neutralising threats to also protecting civilians and restoring public trust.
