By Eze Chukwu

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Thursday said its fighter jets launched multiple airstrikes on terrorists’ strongholds in Borno State’s Sambisa general area and the Southern Tumbuns.

NAF Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI), Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said in a statement that the fighter jets located and eliminated “high-value terrorist commanders in the area” along with several of their fighters along with disabling key infrastructure including “several structures, some equipped with solar panels.”

According to the statement by Air Commodore Ejodame: “In a bold display of force and precision, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), under the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), executed 2 highly successful air interdiction missions on April 15, 2025, targeting terrorist strongholds in Borno State’s Sambisa Forest general area and the Southern Tumbuns.

“The first strike occurred at approximately 5:30 a.m. in Kollaram, a known stronghold of insurgents. Intelligence reports, supported by surveillance footage, confirmed the presence of high-value terrorist commanders in the area. Several structures, some equipped with solar panels, were identified as active terrorist hubs. Nigerian Air Force assets carried out a precision strike on the location, eliminating several fighters and disabling key infrastructure.

“A second precision strike followed at about 3:55pm in Arra, Sambisa. Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions had earlier detected clusters of terrorists, and real-time visuals confirmed the significant presence. Precision-guided munitions were employed, resulting in the effective destruction of targets and disruption of the group’s operational capabilities.

“These back-to-back missions are part of a sustained air campaign designed to erode terrorist capabilities, dismantle leadership structures, and eliminate sanctuaries across Nigeria.