Dozens of Militants Feared Killed as Nigerian Air Force Destroys Insurgent Base in Sambisa Forest

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Thursday executed a coordinated airstrike on a major insurgent hideout inside the Sambisa Forest, demolishing fortified structures and neutralising numerous fighters linked to Boko Haram splinter cells, according to military sources.

The operation was launched after weeks of surveillance identified a cluster of camps used for planning raids, storing weapons and sheltering foot soldiers. At dawn, multiple fighter jets and intelligence–surveillance aircraft swept into the forest, releasing precision-guided munitions on bunkers, makeshift shelters and defensive positions. Heavy explosions were reported, and several escape routes used by the militants were targeted to prevent movement out of the area.

Military officials described the mission as part of an intensified counterterrorism push aimed at dismantling remaining pockets of insurgents operating across the North-East.

The air raid was coordinated with ground troops who had been conducting clearance patrols along the forest’s perimeters, enabling a joint operation that ensured maximum impact and limited avenues for retreat.

Residents of communities bordering the forest said they heard the roar of aircraft followed by loud blasts in the distance.

By afternoon, thick smoke was seen billowing from deep within the forest, suggesting multiple impact points. There were no immediate reports of civilian casualties, as the area is largely uninhabited and has long served as a militant stronghold.

Security analysts noted that while the strike is a significant blow to insurgent logistics, sustained pressure will be required to prevent surviving fighters from regrouping. Sambisa Forest, with its vast expanse and dense vegetation, has remained a strategic refuge for extremist groups for over a decade, making it difficult for security forces to fully root out entrenched cells.

The Defence Headquarters hinted that more operations are underway, emphasizing that the recent strike is part of a broader campaign designed to weaken terror networks, disrupt supply lines and restore stability to long-troubled communities in Borno and adjoining states.

Authorities urged residents to remain vigilant and continue sharing information that could assist security agencies, assuring the public that efforts to secure the region will be intensified in the coming days.