By Bavoriat Clara
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has delivered a major setback to terrorists in the North-East, neutralising more than 25 fighters in a series of coordinated precision air strikes around Bula Yobe and Banki on 18 September 2025.
In a statement issued by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the strikes were carried out following actionable intelligence from ground forces, which revealed terrorist movements and regrouping activities along the Bula Yobe–Banki axis—a corridor notorious for insurgent infiltration and supply routes.
According to him, Operational reports indicated that a force package comprising Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets and attack aircraft was swiftly deployed. The ISR platform tracked hostile elements and provided real-time feeds of their positions north of Banki, enabling synchronised engagement between air and ground forces.
The mission was executed in three successive waves of precision strikes, targeting terrorist movement corridors, meeting points, and assembly areas.
The devastating bombardments neutralised over 25 fighters and disrupted their planned offensive.Post-strike assessments confirmed the elimination of the terrorists, while ground troops maintained defensive positions with no further hostile activity detected in the area.
Air Commodore Ejodame noted that the success of the operation significantly degrades the insurgents’ operational capacity and denies them freedom of movement in one of their known strongholds.
He further stressed that the operation reflects NAF’s unwavering commitment to supporting ground operations, protecting civilians, and consolidating recent gains in the counterterrorism campaign.
The Nigerian Air Force says its working in synergy with sister services and security agencies, to sustain the tempo of operations and restore enduring peace and stability across the North-East.
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