The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has dealt a major blow to terrorist insurgents with a successful airstrike that destroyed hideouts in Chikide and Degbewa, two locations deep within the Mandara Mountains in Borno State. The operation, which took place on March 16, 2025, targeted a key stronghold used by Boko Haram militants and was carried out under the cover of darkness to maximize surprise and impact.
Group Captain Kabiru Ali, Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information at the NAF, confirmed the operation in a statement, describing it as a significant success in the ongoing efforts to dismantle Boko Haram’s operations in the region. He revealed that the airstrike was based on credible intelligence, including data from Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, which pinpointed terrorist activity in the area.
The operation specifically targeted the hideouts of Ali Ngulde, a notorious Boko Haram leader, and his fighters. According to the NAF’s statement, reports indicated that Ngulde and his forces were planning a high-level engagement at one of their key locations in Degbewa. ISR data confirmed the presence of heavily fortified structures, including solar-powered installations, which indicated that the site was being used as a command hub for the terrorist group.
The NAF’s decision to launch a night strike was strategic. Acting on the gathered intelligence, the NAF executed a precision airstrike that caught the terrorists off guard. The operation was aimed at crippling the group’s logistical and command capabilities, and it succeeded in doing so with devastating efficiency.
Group Captain Ali described the aftermath of the strike as “extensive destruction,” noting that multiple structures used by the terrorists were obliterated in the attack. Large fires were ignited, further destroying key assets and equipment. The airstrike also resulted in the elimination of numerous terrorists who had been hiding in the area, including members of Ngulde’s faction.
The destruction of these facilities significantly degraded the Boko Haram insurgents’ ability to plan and execute operations in the region. The airstrike not only disrupted their command structure but also severely impacted their logistics and support networks, hindering their ability to operate effectively in the future.
“This operation against Boko Haram enclaves across the theatre significantly degraded their fighting capability,” said Group Captain Ali. “It also created favourable conditions for ground troops to advance and dominate the battlespace.”
The successful execution of this night operation underscores the Nigerian Air Force’s growing dominance in both day and night air combat capabilities. In recent years, the NAF has expanded its reach and precision, enabling it to conduct successful strikes against insurgent strongholds, even in remote and challenging terrains like the Mandara Mountains.
With Boko Haram’s ability to operate under the cover of darkness increasingly compromised, the NAF’s air power is emerging as a decisive factor in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria. The night strike in Mandara is a clear signal that insurgents can no longer rely on darkness as a shield for their operations.
“The success of this operation is a testament to the NAF’s ability to carry out highly coordinated and effective strikes, even under the cover of darkness,” Group Captain Ali added. “Insurgents can no longer operate without the fear of being targeted, regardless of the time of day.”
The Nigerian Air Force remains committed to utilizing its formidable air power to combat terrorist networks and restore peace to the North-Eastern region of Nigeria, which has long been plagued by insurgent violence. Through sustained and precise air operations, the NAF continues to weaken the operational capacity of Boko Haram and other terrorist groups, gradually diminishing their ability to control territory and recruit fighters.
This recent airstrike is part of a broader strategy by the Nigerian military to secure the country’s borders and territories from the threat of insurgency, particularly in the North-Eastern region, which has been the epicenter of Boko Haram’s brutal insurgency for over a decade. The military’s efforts are also aimed at restoring normalcy and safety to the civilian population in these conflict zones.
The Nigerian government has repeatedly stated its resolve to bring lasting peace to the region, and the NAF’s continued success in conducting airstrikes against Boko Haram hideouts is seen as a significant step toward achieving this goal.
Boko Haram, an extremist group that seeks to impose its interpretation of Islamic law in Nigeria, has been waging an insurgency in the northeastern part of the country since 2009. The group has carried out numerous attacks, including bombings, kidnappings, and assaults on military and civilian targets. Its violent campaign has displaced millions of people and destabilized vast areas of Nigeria.
Despite the Nigerian military’s ongoing efforts to fight the insurgency, Boko Haram has continued to carry out attacks, using difficult terrain like the Mandara Mountains to hide and regroup. These mountains, which straddle the border between Nigeria and Cameroon, have long been a stronghold for the group, providing them with a natural refuge from military forces.
The Nigerian government, however, has remained resolute in its determination to defeat the insurgency and restore peace to the affected regions. The NAF, as a key component of this effort, has played a crucial role in targeting Boko Haram’s leadership and infrastructure, weakening the group’s grip on the region.
