The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced the neutralisation of several high-value terrorist operatives and the destruction of critical infrastructure in precision air strikes carried out in the Sambisa Forest, North-East Nigeria.

The Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja. He explained that the operation, conducted under the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, targeted terrorist elements in the Yuwe general area of the Sambisa axis on February 28.

Ejodame said the early morning air interdiction mission was intelligence-driven, following confirmatory Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) which identified structures used as hideouts for terrorist commanders as well as logistics warehouses.

He noted that strike aircraft accurately locked onto and engaged the validated targets, deploying precision munitions that successfully dismantled key terrorist facilities.

According to him, post-strike battle damage assessments, backed by credible intelligence, confirmed the neutralisation of several senior terrorist commanders and fighters actively coordinating hostile activities in the theatre.

He added that the strikes significantly disrupted the terrorists’ command-and-control network and weakened their logistics capacity, thereby limiting their operational effectiveness in the region.

Ejodame further stated that the Air Force has maintained sustained ISR coverage over the area to monitor fleeing insurgents and identify additional verified targets for possible engagement.

He quoted the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, as commending the professionalism and combat efficiency of the aircrew and support personnel involved in the mission.

Aneke reaffirmed the Air Force’s resolve to deny terrorists safe haven anywhere in the country.

“The Nigerian Air Force will continue to project decisive air power in close synergy with ground forces until every identified terrorist enclave is dismantled,” he said.

The Air Chief also reiterated the service’s commitment to sustaining aggressive, intelligence-led operations aimed at safeguarding the nation and restoring lasting peace in affected regions.