Nigerian Air Force Launches Devastating Airstrikes on Terrorist Hideouts in Niger State
NAF confirms successful airstrikes in Niger State, eliminating terrorists and destroying their logistics between June 24–26.
The operation, based on solid intelligence, was coordinated with ground troops to restore regional stability.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has successfully neutralized dozens of terrorists and disrupted their logistical networks during a series of coordinated airstrikes in Niger State. The operations were carried out between June 24 and 26, 2025, under Operation FANSAN YAMMA Sector 1, aimed at flushing out criminal elements destabilizing the region.
This was disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Ehimen Ejodame. According to the statement, the strikes were based on actionable intelligence and executed in close coordination with ground troops and other security agencies.
The targeted terrorists were reportedly behind a spate of recent attacks and cattle rustling incidents in several communities within the state, including Kakihun and Kumbashi. These areas have witnessed rising insecurity, with locals frequently subjected to assaults, kidnappings, and displacement by armed groups.
Following intelligence reports confirming the presence of terrorist camps and movement of armed elements in the region, the NAF swiftly deployed air assets to strike key locations. The airstrikes, described as “precision operations,” were launched in multiple waves, leading to the elimination of numerous insurgents, the destruction of weapons and supplies, and the prevention of regrouping efforts by fleeing terrorists.
“Swiftly deploying air assets, the Air Component executed multiple waves of precision strikes that neutralized scores of terrorists, destroyed their logistics, and disrupted regrouping efforts,” Air Commodore Ejodame said.
He added that the operation highlighted not only the NAF’s rapid response capabilities but also its increasing reliance on inter-service and inter-agency cooperation to combat insurgency and banditry across Nigeria.
The NAF spokesperson reaffirmed the military’s dedication to ensuring the safety and security of all Nigerians. “The operation demonstrated NAF’s professionalism, rapid response capability, and strong coordination with ground forces and other agencies,” he said.
He further assured the public that the Nigerian Air Force remains fully committed to sustaining pressure on terrorist groups and will continue to support joint operations aimed at restoring peace in troubled areas of the country.
This latest offensive comes amid growing concerns over security in Niger State, a region that has faced recurring violence from insurgent groups, bandits, and cattle rustlers. The remote terrain and proximity to other troubled states have made parts of Niger vulnerable to infiltration by criminal networks.
Security analysts have praised the Nigerian military’s increased use of aerial reconnaissance and precision targeting, noting that such measures are essential in complementing ground operations and reducing civilian casualties.
Ejodame also called on local residents to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could lead to the arrest or neutralization of terrorists operating in their communities.
“The Nigerian Air Force remains resolutely committed to protecting the lives and property of all Nigerians and ensuring lasting peace across the country,” he concluded.
With the success of the latest airstrikes, residents of Kakihun and Kumbashi are hopeful that sustained military pressure will lead to the permanent dislodgment of criminal elements and the restoration of normalcy to their communities.
