The Nigerian Air Force has intensified military pressure on insurgent networks operating in the North-East of Nigeria following a successful precision air interdiction mission that neutralised terrorist elements and destroyed key logistics infrastructure in Borno State.
The air operation was conducted on Sunday, December Fourteen, Two Thousand And Twenty Five, at Dabar Masara, a remote settlement located within the Southern Tumbuns axis of Borno State. The area has long been identified by security forces as a strategic hideout for terrorist groups exploiting the difficult terrain around Lake Chad.
Okay News reports that the mission was carried out by the Air Component of Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI, a multi-agency military operation tasked with counterterrorism and counterinsurgency efforts across Nigeria’s North-East region.
Details of the operation were disclosed in an official statement issued on Monday by the Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, who said the strike followed weeks of intelligence-led surveillance and reconnaissance activities.
According to Ejodame, sustained intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions had earlier detected repeated movements of armed terrorists in the area, alongside a significant cluster of vehicles hidden beneath thick vegetation, strongly suggesting the existence of an active terrorist logistics and workshop hub.
The statement read in part, “The Nigerian Air Force has successfully conducted a precision Air Interdiction mission on Fourteen December Two Thousand And Twenty Five at Dabar Masara, a known terrorist location in the Southern Tumbuns, as part of ongoing operations to disrupt terrorist activities and logistics.
“Acting on credible intelligence indicating the presence of a terrorist workshop and sustained movement of armed elements, the Air Component of Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI deployed an integrated force package to conduct coordinated intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions with strike operations.
“Prior Intelligence, Surveillance, And Reconnaissance missions had revealed repeated terrorist movement within the area, as well as a significant concentration of vehicles concealed under vegetation, confirming the location as an active terrorist logistics hub.”
Ejodame explained that surveillance on the day of the operation further confirmed the presence of terrorists manoeuvring around the identified vehicles, prompting the Air Force to proceed with the engagement after positive identification of targets and strict compliance with the Rules of Engagement.
He added, “On the day of the operation, further surveillance validated the earlier findings, with terrorists observed manoeuvring within the location and around the identified vehicles. Following positive identification and in strict adherence to the Rules of Engagement, the targets were engaged.
“Post-operation Battle Damage Assessment confirmed that the identified vehicles were destroyed and terrorist elements were neutralised. The successful execution of this mission underscores the Nigerian Air Force’s continued commitment to intelligence-driven, precise air operations in support of national efforts to degrade terrorist networks and enhance security across affected regions.”
The Southern Tumbuns, a vast network of marshlands surrounding Lake Chad, has remained a major operational base for terrorist groups due to its difficult accessibility. Nigerian military forces have sustained both air and ground operations in the region as part of broader efforts to dismantle insurgent structures and restore stability to communities affected by years of violent extremism.
