NAF airstrikes destroy terrorist strongholds in Adamawa, Borno

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) announced that it has intensified counter‑terrorism operations in Adamawa and Borno states, conducting coordinated airstrikes against suspected terrorist strongholds in the Southern Tumbuns and Mandara Mountains of the North‑East.

On 19 May 2026, the strikes targeted Bukar Meram in the Southern Tumbuns and Chikide in the Mandara Mountains under the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai.

The Air Force said the missions were launched on the basis of credible intelligence and confirmatory Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) that identified terrorist logistics hubs, structures and assembly points hidden in the areas.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the NAF said several terrorists were neutralised and planned attacks were disrupted.

The statement added that the strikes also destroyed logistics facilities and operational structures used by insurgents in the affected locations.

Speaking about the operation, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to sustained joint operations aimed at restoring peace across the country.

He said intelligence‑driven air operations would continue to target terrorist hideouts, logistics networks and operational bases in the affected regions.

The Air Chief stressed that the Nigerian Air Force would maintain pressure on terrorist groups until lasting stability is achieved in the North‑East.