NAF Conducts 1,500 Flight Hours, Kills 592 Terrorists in Borno — CAS

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced a major operational milestone in the fight against terrorism, revealing that it carried out over 1,500 flight hours under the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai in the past eight months. These missions resulted in the killing of at least 592 terrorists and the destruction of 372 enemy assets across Borno State and the wider North-East region.

According to NAF spokesperson Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, the statistics were shared by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, during a courtesy visit to Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, in Maiduguri.

“The Nigerian Air Force unleashed an unyielding air onslaught against terrorist elements in the North-East, killing no fewer than 592 fighters and obliterating 372 enemy assets in eight months — a tempo of operations already outstripping the entirety of 2024,” Air Marshal Abubakar stated.

He added that 798 combat sorties had been flown as part of the campaign, significantly weakening the operational capacity of Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters.

Abubakar highlighted the Air Force’s increased capabilities, including upgraded fleets, enhanced night-strike precision, and improved surveillance technology. These upgrades have enabled NAF to cripple insurgent logistics and mobility — destroying 206 technical vehicles and 166 logistics hubs deep within hostile zones.

“This year, our air war is faster, sharper, and more surgical. We are taking out high-value targets, crippling their logistics, and hunting down every cell that threatens the peace of the North-East,” he said.

The Air Chief listed key operational locations — including Gonori, Rann, Dikwa, Damboa, Azir, and Mallam Fatori — where NAF aircraft have maintained both daytime and nighttime missions. He noted that A-29 Super Tucano jets, Mi-171 helicopters, and advanced ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) platforms have been crucial in sustaining the tempo of operations. The anticipated deployment of a newly acquired Mi-35 gunship is also expected to further boost close-air support for ground forces.

Praising the ongoing civilian-military collaboration in the region, Abubakar hailed the “Borno Model” — a blend of non-kinetic, community-driven engagement and decisive military action — as a successful counter-insurgency approach.

“We are winning this war in the air, on the ground, and in the hearts of the people,” he said. “Our operations are as much about protecting civilians and rebuilding trust as they are about destroying enemy capabilities.”

In his remarks, Governor Zulum commended the Air Force for its unwavering support in pushing back terrorist elements and securing communities.

“The Nigerian Air Force has been a steadfast partner in our fight against insurgency. Your operations have saved countless lives and allowed our communities to begin rebuilding. The people of Borno State recognise your sacrifices and stand firmly behind you,” Zulum said.

He, however, called for additional air power to address persistent threats in key areas such as Lake Chad, Sambisa Forest, the Timbuktu Triangle, and the Mandara Mountains — terrain he described as difficult to secure solely through ground operations.

“We need heavy air power to eliminate the insurgents and address insecurity in the general area,” he added.

Zulum also acknowledged the deployment of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and other advanced platforms to the state and pledged the full support of the Borno State Government in strengthening ongoing efforts.

He further praised the synergy between NAF and other security agencies, which he said has been instrumental to recent operational successes in the region.