Borno: NAF Pounds Boko Haram in Deadly Overnight Strikes, Dozens Killed
In one of its most decisive operations in recent months, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has killed scores of Boko Haram fighters in a series of precision overnight airstrikes conducted in Bita, a remote community in Borno State.
The offensive, carried out in the early hours of Thursday, was led by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, the military’s flagship counterterrorism campaign in the North East.
Military sources confirmed to PRNigeria that the strikes targeted fleeing insurgents believed to be regrouping following recent ground force advances in the area.
Eyewitnesses and military officials said the operation was executed with high-level coordination and intelligence support, enabling NAF jets to strike with devastating accuracy under the cover of darkness.
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“This was a precision engagement based on credible intelligence. Our aircraft neutralised dozens of terrorists attempting to regroup in Bita,” said Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF Headquarters, in an official statement on Friday morning.
The airstrikes reportedly paved the way for Nigerian ground troops to advance into the area and begin clearance operations.
According to Ejodame, the operation is part of ongoing efforts to degrade the operational capabilities of terrorist groups that continue to threaten peace and security in the region.
NAF reassured Nigerians of its continued commitment to safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity and crushing terror elements across all regions.
“All necessary measures are being taken to ensure that terrorist groups have no safe haven anywhere within the country,” Ejodame said.
The military has not yet disclosed the exact number of casualties, but field reports suggest that over 30 fighters may have been killed. Ground troops are currently engaged in mop-up operations, and efforts are underway to assess the full impact of the strike.
This latest operation comes amid renewed calls for more synergy between air and land components in Nigeria’s counterinsurgency efforts, especially as terrorists adapt to avoid conventional surveillance.
By PRNigeria
