The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has sustained an intensive air interdiction campaign against terrorist elements across the North-East and North-West, delivering coordinated, intelligence-driven strikes between 1 and 2 January 2026 that significantly degraded insurgent capabilities and denied them safe havens.
He said in the North-East theatre, precision air strikes targeted well-concealed terrorist enclaves at Abirma and Chiralia within the Timbuktu Triangle. Persistent surveillance had confirmed the locations as active facilities associated with improvised explosive device (IED) production and attack planning. The strikes completely destroyed the structures, with multiple secondary explosions observed, indicating the elimination of explosive stockpiles and key logistics. Further interdiction at Guva in the Mandara Mountains dismantled additional storage and coordination nodes, severely limiting the terrorists’ ability to regroup or launch attacks during and beyond the festive period.
Simultaneously, the campaign extended into the North-West with a decisive air interdiction mission around Karaduwa Giginya Na in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State. Terrorist elements moving in large motorcycle convoys were tracked and engaged at a forested convergence point. Post-strike assessments and corroborated local reports confirmed the neutralisation of several terrorists, the destruction of multiple motorcycles, and the elimination of assorted weapons.
The Nigerian Air Force said the sustained multi-theatre operations underscore its overwhelming airpower presence, rapid strike capability, and unwavering resolve to systematically dismantle terrorist networks. The Service reaffirmed its commitment to continuing precision and persistent operations in support of ground forces, assuring Nigerians that threats to innocent lives will be met with decisive force as efforts continue to restore lasting peace and stability across all theatres of operation.
