By Femi Osinusi
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed that more than 25 terrorists were killed in coordinated night airstrikes carried out in the Bula Yobe and Banki axis of Borno State on September 18.
According to military sources, the operation was executed by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai after ground troops provided intelligence on terrorist movements in the area. A combination of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft and strike platforms were deployed.
The ISR platforms, officials said, tracked the insurgents’ movements and spotted multiple groups gathering north of Banki. Real-time information was relayed to ground troops and base operations, allowing for precise coordination between air and land forces.
Fighter jets then launched three successive strikes on the terrorists’ routes and assembly points, killing over 25 fighters, according to post-strike assessments. Surveillance further confirmed that Nigerian troops maintained their defensive positions without facing any immediate threats after the bombardment.
Military authorities described the operation as another demonstration of NAF’s commitment to denying terrorists freedom of movement and providing decisive support to ground forces in the counter-insurgency war in Nigeria’s North-East.
The Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, announced the development in a statement issued on Saturday, September 20.
