CAS APPLAUDS JOINT EFFORT AS NAF’S 8-MONTH OFFENSIVE DEALS CRUSHING BLOW TO TERRORISTS IN BORNO STATE*
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has dealt a decisive blow to terrorist elements in the North-East, killing at least 592 fighters and destroying 372 enemy assets in eight months, already surpassing the operational tempo of the entire previous year. Disclosing the figures during a courtesy visit to Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Umara Zulum, on 12 August 2025 in Maiduguri, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, credited the success to an upgraded fleet and enhanced precision night-strike capabilities. He noted that 798 combat sorties, totaling over 1,500 flight hours under Operation Hadin Kai, had significantly crippled terrorist mobility and logistics, eliminating 206 technical vehicles and 166 key logistics hubs deep in hostile areas.
From Gonori to Rann, Dikwa to Damboa, Azir to Mallam Fatori, NAF aircraft have conducted coordinated day-and-night operations in challenging terrain, enabled by A-29 Super Tucanos, Mi-171 helicopters, and advanced ISR platforms for continuous target tracking. The CAS announced that the imminent deployment of a new Mi-35 gunship would further strengthen close-air support for ground troops. Governor Zulum commended the NAF for its vital role in degrading terrorist capabilities and safeguarding communities, acknowledging that its efforts had saved lives and facilitated the rebuilding of towns across the state.
Air Marshal Abubakar also praised the Governor for the State’s “Borno Model”, a blend of community-driven, non-kinetic engagement with decisive military action, describing it as a winning formula in counter-insurgency efforts. He reaffirmed that the NAF’s mission goes beyond neutralising threats to also protecting civilians and restoring public trust. The CAS also inspected facilities at the Maiduguri NAF Base, interacted with personnel, and received operational briefings, underscoring the Air Force’s continued commitment to leveraging air power, intelligence, and inter-agency collaboration to safeguard Nigeria’s territorial integrity and the lives of its citizens.
