The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has destroyed terrorist hideouts in Borno State following a targeted airstrike in the Southern Tumbuns area, a region long known for insurgent activity in Nigeria’s North-East.
The development was confirmed in a statement released on Saturday in Abuja by the Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame. He said the operation was carried out on Friday at about 6:50 p.m. over Ali Sheriffti, a location identified as a major enclave for terrorist groups.
According to Ejodame, the airstrike followed credible intelligence reports that indicated the presence and movement of insurgents in the area. Acting on this information, NAF aircraft conducted a surveillance mission to monitor activities on the ground.
During the operation, several suspected insurgents were seen moving along hidden tracks. The surveillance team followed them to structures concealed under thick vegetation, which are often used by fighters as hideouts to avoid detection.
After confirming the targets, the air force launched a precise strike, engaging the structures with its onboard weapons. Ejodame said the mission was successful, with the identified hideouts destroyed.
“The operation achieved the desired effect, with terrorist structures destroyed, further degrading their capability and freedom of movement in the area,” he stated.
The Southern Tumbuns area of Borno State has remained one of the most difficult regions for security forces to access due to its swampy terrain and dense vegetation. Over the years, it has served as a safe haven for insurgent groups, including Boko Haram and factions linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
These groups have carried out attacks on communities, security formations, and humanitarian workers, contributing to a prolonged security crisis in the region. The conflict, which has lasted for more than a decade, has led to thousands of deaths and displaced millions of people, especially in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states.
Military operations in the North-East have intensified in recent years, with a focus on combining air and ground assaults. The use of airstrikes, supported by intelligence gathering and surveillance, has become a key part of efforts to target insurgent camps located in remote and hard-to-reach areas.
Ejodame noted that the latest strike reflects the NAF’s commitment to intelligence-led and precision-driven operations. He said this approach helps to reduce the risk of civilian casualties while ensuring that terrorist targets are effectively neutralised.
He also quoted the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, as reaffirming the force’s determination to sustain pressure on terrorist networks across the country.
According to the Air Chief, the NAF will continue to carry out operations with increased intensity to protect the nation and its citizens. He stressed that the goal is to deny insurgents any safe space where they can regroup or plan attacks.
“The Nigerian Air Force will continue to pursue and dismantle terrorist networks with unwavering precision and relentless force, ensuring no enclave remains beyond our reach,” he said.
Many communities in Borno State are still recovering from years of violence. Farmers have struggled to return to their land, while families displaced by conflict continue to rely on aid for survival. Basic services such as healthcare, education, and clean water remain limited in some areas.
The Federal Government has continued to invest in both security operations and rebuilding efforts. Programmes have also been introduced to encourage insurgents to surrender and reintegrate into society, though such efforts have sparked mixed reactions among local communities.
Despite these challenges, the military says it will not relent in its efforts to restore peace in the region. The latest airstrike is seen as part of a broader campaign to keep insurgents under constant pressure.
Residents in the North-East have expressed hope that sustained operations will lead to lasting security and allow normal life to return. For now, the destruction of terrorist hideouts in Southern Tumbuns is being viewed as a step forward in the ongoing fight against insurgency.
As military operations continue, attention is also turning to long-term solutions that address the root causes of the conflict. Until then, the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies are expected to maintain their focus on eliminating threats and protecting lives across the region.