By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Nigerian Air Force has intensified its offensive against insurgents in the North-East, neutralising 18 senior terrorist commanders and 42 fighters in a precision air operation over the Sambisa axis.
The air interdiction mission, carried out on February 28, 2026, targeted the Yuwe general area of the Sambisa forest under the Joint Task Force of Operation Hadin Kai.
Military authorities said the early morning strike was intelligence-driven and followed confirmatory Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) which identified structures serving as commanders’ hideouts and logistics warehouses.
According to a statement issued on March 2 by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, NAF strike elements “successfully acquired and engaged the validated targets,” delivering precise air strikes that dismantled critical terrorist infrastructure.
Post-strike battle damage assessments, corroborated by intelligence sources, confirmed that a total of 60 terrorist operatives were neutralised, including high-ranking field commanders actively coordinating attacks within the theatre. Several logistics facilities and weapons storage points were also destroyed during the operation.
The Air Force said the strikes significantly disrupted the terrorists’ command-and-control structure and degraded their supply network, limiting their ability to launch coordinated assaults. It added that sustained ISR missions are ongoing to track and engage fleeing or regrouping elements.
Commenting on the development, Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, commended the professionalism and combat efficiency of the aircrew and supporting personnel. He reaffirmed the service’s resolve to deny terrorists any sanctuary within 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. We remain committed to sustaining aggressive, intelligence-led operations that protect our nation and restore enduring peace,” he said.
The latest offensive underscores ongoing efforts by Operation Hadin Kai forces to consolidate security gains and further weaken insurgent networks across the North-East.
