NAF airstrikes kill at least 40 terrorists in Borno

Monday, January 19, 2026 - The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says over 40 terrorists have been killed in coordinated air strikes carried out in Azir and Musarram areas of Borno State, foiling planned attacks on civilian communities.

Disclosing this in a statement on Sunday, NAF Spokesman, Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the precision strikes were conducted on January 15 and 16.

Ejodame stated that the strikes were executed by NAF aircraft operating under the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, following credible intelligence on terrorist movements and imminent threats to nearby communities.

According to him, further scans revealed terrorist elements attempting to regroup under nearby tree cover, prompting precise and successive air strikes that neutralised several of them.

“Post-strike assessment confirmed no further threats, while feedback from ground troops, local authorities and community sources indicated a significant degradation of terrorist presence and a return of relative calm,” the statement read.

“Earlier on Jan. 15, NAF air assets carried out a successful air interdiction at Musarram in the Tumbuns general area after intelligence revealed terrorists assembling on canoes to launch attacks along the Baga and Fish Dam axis.

“On arrival, the aircraft sighted about 10 canoes and over 40 suspected terrorists, who were engaged in multiple passes, throwing them into disarray.

“Some fleeing elements were trailed and neutralised, while others who regrouped at an assembly area were also engaged, effectively dismantling the terrorist concentration,” he said.

On his part, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, reaffirmed the NAF’s commitment to providing timely and decisive air support to ground forces.

Aneke said the operations demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-led air power and close air–ground coordination in denying terrorists freedom of action.

He assured Nigerians of sustained pressure on terrorist elements as the Armed Forces of Nigeria continue efforts to degrade their capabilities and stabilise affected areas.