NAF Unleashes Fierce Air Assault on Terrorist Enclaves in Southern Tumbuns, Mandara Mountains
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), through the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI, has intensified its counterterrorism campaign in the North-East, carrying out precision air strikes that destroyed terrorist strongholds in the Southern Tumbuns and Mandara Mountains.
The strikes, conducted on May 19, targeted Bukar Meram in the Southern Tumbuns and Chikide in the Mandara Mountains following credible intelligence reports and confirmatory Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the air operations successfully destroyed terrorist logistics hubs, structures and assembly areas concealed within the enclaves.
The statement added that several terrorists were neutralised during the strikes, while planned attacks by the insurgents were effectively disrupted.
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“The Nigerian Air Force, through the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI, intensified ongoing air offensives against terrorist elements in the North-East with precision air strikes conducted on 19 May 2026 at Bukar Meram in the Southern Tumbuns and Chikide in the Mandara Mountains,” the statement read.
It further noted that the operations were based on actionable intelligence and extensive ISR missions which confirmed the presence of terrorist infrastructure and activities within the targeted locations.
Speaking on the sustained offensive operations, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, reaffirmed the NAF’s commitment to coordinated joint operations alongside sister Services and allied partners in the ongoing fight against terrorism.
He stressed that intelligence-driven air operations would continue to target and destroy terrorist hideouts, logistics networks and operational bases across the country.
The latest strikes form part of intensified military efforts under Operation HADIN KAI aimed at degrading terrorist capabilities and restoring lasting peace and stability in Nigeria’s North-East region.