The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has intensified its air operations across six northern states, destroying several terrorist camps and neutralising fighters belonging to the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) and other criminal groups.

The intensified strikes, carried out under the ongoing counterterrorism operations, mark a renewed push by the military to weaken insurgent and bandit networks threatening national security.

According to Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information for the Nigerian Air Force, the coordinated air missions took place between November 8 and 10, 2025, targeting terrorist strongholds in Borno, Katsina, Kaduna, Kebbi, Zamfara, and Kwara States. The operations were conducted under joint military frameworks such as Operation Hadin Kai in the North East and Operation Fanjan Yamma in the North West.

In Borno State, airstrikes were concentrated in the Mallam Fatori and Shuwaram areas of the Lake Chad Basin, where ISWAP fighters were spotted mobilising in convoys of motorcycles and boats.

Intelligence reports indicated that the terrorists were preparing for coordinated attacks before the NAF’s precision strikes destroyed their hideouts, logistics depots, and ammunition stores.

Similar operations were carried out in Kwara State, where air interdictions targeted criminal enclaves in Garin Dandi and Chigogo, disrupting networks of bandits involved in kidnapping and arms smuggling.

Strikes in Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, and Kebbi also resulted in the destruction of several terrorist camps and movement corridors, according to the NAF statement.

Air Commodore Ejodame described the latest missions as part of the force’s commitment to sustaining pressure on terrorists and ensuring the safety of citizens.

“The Nigerian Air Force remains resolute in its mission to eliminate criminal elements wherever they are hiding and to create a safer environment for Nigerians,” he stated.

While the Air Force did not specify the number of casualties, it confirmed that several terrorists were neutralised and their operational capabilities severely degraded.

Analysts say the intensified operations reflect a shift toward intelligence-led and technology-driven warfare, leveraging aerial assets for faster and more precise results.

The renewed air campaign is expected to further weaken insurgent supply chains across the North, particularly within the Lake Chad Basin — a region that has long served as a strategic base for ISWAP and Boko Haram militants.

However, observers have urged the military to complement air operations with ground stabilization efforts to prevent insurgent regrouping and to protect civilians in affected communities.

The Nigerian Air Force has pledged to sustain the momentum of its air campaigns, assuring Nigerians that it will continue to collaborate with other branches of the Armed Forces to restore lasting peace and stability across the northern region.