NAF Destroys Terrorists’ Strongholds

Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has destroyed fortified terrorists’ hideouts in Chiralia, Grazah, Yuwe and Zango Hill, eliminating numerous fighters and crippling their operational networks.

A statement by the deputy spokesman, Group Captain Kabiru Ali, said the airstrikes were conducted between 17 and 19 March 2025, striking deep into terrorists’ strongholds across the North-East and North-West regions.

He explained that the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) on March 17 launched a devastating airstrike on Chiralia, a notorious terrorist enclave within the Timbuktu Triangle.

According to him, intelligence reports revealed that the insurgents had been orchestrating violent raids along the Maiduguri-Damaturu and Damaturu-Biu highways, abducting civilians and plundering supplies.

A formidable force package of NAF attack aircraft unleashed a precise and overwhelming assault, obliterating multiple enemy structures and eliminating terrorists desperately attempting to escape with follow-up strikes.

He said NAF on the following day, launched another devastating air interdiction operation at Grazah, a well-fortified terrorist hideout in the treacherous Mandara Mountains and at Yuwe, a notorious insurgent stronghold in Sambisa Forest along the volatile Damboa-Bitta highway.

“At Grazah, intelligence reports exposed extremist leaders indoctrinating fighters, reinforcing the urgency of the strike. In a ferocious assault, NAF fighter jets unleashed a relentless barrage of precision strikes on key targets advancing purposeful lethality. Follow-up strikes intensified the offensive, obliterating fleeing terrorists at both locations and delivering a crushing blow to their operational networks,” he said.

Meanwhile, in the North-West region, the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) executed a relentless aerial assault in Zango Hill, Kankara local government area of Katsina State,in close coordination with ground forces.

The statement said the ISR missions uncovered armed bandits entrenched in the rugged high ground, triggering the swift deployment of NAF attack aircraft.

“The precision strikes pounded enemy positions, while follow-up bombardments targeted regrouping fighters attempting to evade destruction. NAF helicopters delivered decisive Close Air Support, raining fire on bandits engaging friendly forces, ensuring the unimpeded advance of ground troops. The operation annihilated multiple armed criminals and obliterated their fortified hideouts, further crippling their operational foothold,” he said.

He emphasised that the recent NAF airstrikes significantly disrupted terrorist activities across multiple regions.

“Intelligence assessments indicate that the strikes not only neutralised several high-value targets but also destroyed critical infrastructure used by the terrorists for logistics and coordination,” he added.