NAF Airstrikes Destroy IED Factory, Terrorist Gun Trucks in Borno’s Tumbuktu Triangle
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), under Operation HADIN KAI, has launched a series of precision airstrikes that destroyed an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) factory and several terrorist gun trucks in Kwaltiri, a notorious hideout within the Tumbuktu Triangle in Borno State.
The operation, carried out on June 18, 2025, was based on credible intelligence and surveillance, which revealed heightened terrorist activity in the area.
According to a statement released by Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information for the NAF, the air component of Operation HADIN KAI deployed combat aircraft that engaged the targets in multiple successful strikes.
“Surveillance confirmed the presence of an IED-making site and vehicles in the vicinity. Our aircraft engaged the locations in successive precision passes, leading to the destruction of the bomb-making factory and gun trucks, while neutralizing dozens of fighters,” the statement read.
The Tumbuktu Triangle is an axis spanning parts of Borno, bordering Lake Chad—is a hotbed of extremist activities and has long served as a strategic logistics and command hub for insurgent factions.
The area has seen repeated military offensives aimed at degrading the operational base of Boko Haram and its splinter faction, ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province).
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Security sources said the latest NAF assault dealt a heavy blow to the terrorists’ capability to launch future attacks, especially through the use of improvised explosives and mobile firepower. The targeted destruction of their manufacturing infrastructure, along with vehicles often used in ambushes and rapid assaults, is expected to disrupt their logistics and communication networks significantly.
According to military insiders, the strikes are part of a broader intelligence-led campaign to dismantle key terrorist nodes before the peak of the rainy season, when ground operations become more challenging due to terrain limitations.
“Beyond physical damage, the psychological impact of the airstrikes is profound. These strikes have sent shockwaves through the terrorist ranks, degrading their morale and momentum,” the NAF spokesperson added.
In recent months, the Nigerian Air Force has intensified its air interdiction campaigns, complementing ground troop efforts across the North-East and Lake Chad Basin.
PRNigeria gathered that the strategic use of air power has been critical in targeting high-value locations while minimizing collateral damage, a feat made possible by improved aerial surveillance and precision-guided munitions..
As the military sustains pressure on insurgent enclaves, the NAF reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that terrorists have no safe haven. “We remain resolute in our mission to degrade the enemy’s capacity and support efforts toward restoring peace and stability across the region,” the statement added.
By PRNigeria
