The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced that its Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (AC OPHD) successfully neutralised more than 25 terrorists during a coordinated night air raid at Bula Yobe and Banki in Borno State, conducted four days ago.
Director of Public Relations and Information for NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, explained that the mission was initiated following intelligence reports from ground troops. A joint force package, which included Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets alongside attack aircraft, was deployed to the area.
According to Ejodame, the ISR platforms maintained contact with ground forces and tracked terrorist movements, particularly identifying clusters of fighters north of Banki. Real-time intelligence was relayed to troops on the ground, enabling synchronised action. The strike aircraft then executed three successive precision strikes on the terrorists’ movement routes and assembly points, eliminating more than 25 fighters.
He added: “Post-strike surveillance confirmed that ground forces maintained their defensive positions, with no further threats detected. This operation demonstrates NAF’s decisive role in supporting ground troops, disrupting terrorist freedom of movement, and reinforcing the commitment to securing Nigeria’s North-East.”
Meanwhile, in a separate development, troops of the Nigerian Army’s 3 Division intercepted and arrested 15 armed bandits in Plateau State during an operation on 19 September 2025.
Spokesman of the Division, Major Samson Zaikhom, confirmed that the suspects had been involved in arson and other violent crimes in parts of the state. He disclosed that the offensive operation, conducted under the Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace (JTF OPEP), was triggered by credible intelligence reports of armed militias burning huts at Jamrop Village in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area.
During the operation, troops successfully apprehended 15 armed militias and recovered 15 locally fabricated rifles, 105 cartridges, and other weapons. The suspects and recovered items are currently in custody, while efforts continue to track down other fleeing members of the group.
Zaikhom assured that troops of 3 Division and JTF OPEP remain resolute in intensifying their operations to secure communities within the Joint Operations Area and to dismantle networks of violent groups whose identities will be fully uncovered for prosecution.
