Several fighters belonging to the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) have been eliminated by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) following intensified nationwide counterterrorism and anti-banditry operations.
The development came after multiple precision airstrikes that successfully targeted ISWAP elements in Mallam Fatori and Shuwaram in Borno State, while also destroying bandit hideouts in Garin Dandi and Chigogo in Kwara State, as well as Zango Hill in the Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State.
In a statement issued by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the coordinated missions carried out on 9 November 2025 marked a crucial phase in ongoing joint security efforts under Operation HADIN KAI and Operation FANSAN YAMMA, designed to weaken terrorist and criminal structures across northern Nigeria.
“In Borno State, NAF air interdiction missions dealt a heavy blow to ISWAP terrorists entrenched in the Northern Tumbuns.
“Guided by real-time Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) feeds, air assets conducted precision strikes southeast of Shuwaram before shifting to Mallam Fatori, where ISWAP elements were observed mobilising with motorcycles and boats along the Lake Chad Basin.
“The strikes destroyed insurgent hideouts, logistics hubs, and weapons storage facilities, eliminating several terrorists and crippling their mobility capabilities. Post-strike assessments confirmed multiple neutralisations and a significant degradation of ISWAP’s operational networks in the area,” the statement partly read.
Kwara Air Strikes
NAF headquarters reported that its aircraft simultaneously executed targeted air interdiction operations over Garin Dandi and Chigogo in Kwara State, hitting bandit camps with high precision based on reliable intelligence.
“The attacks caused panic and inflicted heavy losses among the criminals,” it said.
The statement added that in another related mission, air assets under Operation FANSAN YAMMA targeted Zango Hill in Kankara, Katsina State, which serves as a base for a notorious terrorist leader and his fighters.
“Guided by actionable intelligence and ISR surveillance, multiple attack passes were executed, destroying key logistics hubs and neutralising several of the terrorists in one of the most decisive strikes in the region.
“Demonstrating sustained reach and precision, the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA (Sector 1) conducted an Armed Reconnaissance mission across the northwest corridor, covering key settlements in Zamfara, Kebbi, and Kaduna States, including Kakihum, Dankolo, Kotonkoro, and Kuyello.
“These locations serve as known routes and hideouts for armed groups along the Birnin Gwari–Funtua axis. During the mission, coordination with Forward Operating Bases at Dankolo and Kotonkoro revealed suspicious movement near Wam Hill, where terrorists on motorcycles were spotted attempting to flee.
“The aircrew swiftly engaged and neutralised the targets, with no further hostile activity observed,” the statement read.
NAF stated that the success of the precision strikes carried out across Borno, Kwara, Katsina, and the wider northwest highlights the increased operational momentum following directives from the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke.
It added that each operation reinforces NAF’s commitment to deploying smarter, intelligence-based airpower to deliver intentional, effective strikes against insurgents and criminal elements while safeguarding citizens and boosting national security.
‘Renewed Tempo’
In the aftermath of US President Donald Trump’s warning to deploy US forces with “guns-a-blazing” if Nigeria fails to address what he called the killing of Christians by terrorists, President Bola Tinubu restated his administration’s determination to intensify efforts against terrorism and organised crime.
“The task ahead is immense. But we are resolved to move forward with unity and purpose, to defeat terrorism and build a prosperous, inclusive, and resilient Nigeria,” Tinubu had said.
The NAF operations were carried out shortly after Air Marshal Aneke instructed air component commanders across all theatres to boost the intensity and effectiveness of their strike missions.
“We must fly smarter and strike harder; every mission must reflect professionalism, purpose, and patriotism,” he said during a strategic briefing with commanders from different operational zones at the NAF Headquarters in Abuja.