ISWAP, Bandit Camps Destroyed As NAF Intensifies Counterterrorism Raids

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has intensified its nationwide counterterrorism and counter-banditry campaign, killing several members of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) and destroying multiple criminal hideouts across Borno, Kwara, and Katsina States.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the air operations, executed on November 9, 2025, were carried out under Operation HADIN KAI in the Northeast and Operation FANSAN YAMMA in the Northwest. The coordinated missions, according to NAF, marked a decisive phase in joint military efforts to degrade terrorist and criminal networks threatening Nigeria’s stability.

Ejodame explained that in Borno State, the air component conducted precision strikes in Mallam Fatori and Shuwaram, areas long considered ISWAP strongholds. The air raids, guided by real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) data, targeted insurgent hideouts, logistics bases, and weapons depots.

“Air interdiction missions dealt a heavy blow to ISWAP terrorists entrenched in the Northern Tumbuns. The strikes destroyed their camps, logistics hubs, and mobility assets, eliminating several terrorists and crippling their operational capabilities,” the statement said.

Post-strike assessments confirmed that multiple ISWAP fighters were neutralized, and significant portions of their networks around the Lake Chad Basin were dismantled.

NAF Expands Offensive To Kwara, Katsina, And Northwest Corridor

Simultaneous operations were also conducted in Kwara State, where NAF aircraft struck bandit enclaves in Garin Dandi and Chigogo. The statement noted that the attacks were executed with “devastating accuracy” based on credible intelligence, inflicting heavy losses on the criminal groups and sending panic through their ranks.

In Katsina State, air assets under Operation FANSAN YAMMA launched targeted strikes on Zango Hill in Kankara Local Government Area—the hideout of a notorious terrorist leader and his fighters.

“Guided by actionable intelligence and ISR surveillance, multiple attack passes were executed, destroying key logistics hubs and neutralising several terrorists,” NAF reported, describing the operation as one of the most decisive in recent months.

The force added that its aircraft continued armed reconnaissance missions across the northwest corridor, covering parts of Zamfara, Kebbi, and Kaduna States, including Kakihum, Dankolo, Kotonkoro, and Kuyello, known transit routes and shelters for armed groups.

During one of the missions, the crew spotted suspicious movement near Wam Hill along the Birnin Gwari–Funtua axis and swiftly engaged the targets, neutralizing the fleeing terrorists.

Renewed Tempo After Air Chief’s Directives

The Air Force said the success of the latest operations reflects its renewed offensive tempo following directives from the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, who recently ordered all air component commanders to “fly smarter and strike harder” in the fight against terrorism and banditry.

Aneke, during a strategy meeting at NAF Headquarters in Abuja, had urged commanders to ensure that every mission demonstrates professionalism, intelligence, and precision, warning that terrorists must not be given room to regroup.

“The success of these precision operations across Borno, Kwara, Katsina, and the wider northwestern corridor underscores the implementation of those directives,” NAF said, noting that each mission reaffirms its resolve to employ smarter, intelligence-driven airpower in protecting citizens and securing national assets.

Also read: NAF Airstrikes Kill 25 Terrorists in Yobe and Borno

The statement added that the Air Force remains committed to projecting “purposeful lethality” against insurgents and bandits as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s internal security architecture.

Tinubu Reaffirms Commitment To Counterterrorism

The raids came days after President Bola Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to intensifying the fight against terrorism and criminality. His statement followed recent remarks by US President Donald Trump, who warned that the United States could intervene militarily if Nigeria fails to curb religiously motivated killings.

“The task ahead is immense,” Tinubu had said last week, “but we are resolved to move forward with unity and purpose, to defeat terrorism and build a prosperous, inclusive, and resilient Nigeria.”

The Air Force has since maintained that its operations remain guided by precision, intelligence, and collaboration with ground troops to ensure maximum impact and minimal collateral damage in the ongoing campaign to restore peace across the country.