By Bavoriat Clara
The Nigerian Air Force has intensified its air campaign against terrorist elements in the North-East, destroying several strongholds in the Southern Tumbuns and Mandara Mountains during coordinated air strikes conducted on May 19, 2026.
The operation, carried out by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI, targeted terrorist enclaves at Bukar Meram in the Southern Tumbuns and Chikide in the Mandara Mountains following credible intelligence and confirmatory Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions.
In a statement issued by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the strikes successfully destroyed terrorist logistics hubs, structures and assembly areas concealed within the enclaves. Several terrorists were also neutralised during the operation, while planned attacks by the insurgents were disrupted.
According to the statement, the successful strikes form part of sustained efforts by the Nigerian Air Force to degrade terrorist capabilities and deny them freedom of movement within the region.
Speaking on the operations, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to sustaining coordinated joint operations with sister services and allied partners in the fight against terrorism.
Air Marshal Aneke stressed that intelligence-driven air operations would continue to identify and destroy terrorist hideouts, logistics networks and operational bases wherever they exist, in line with ongoing efforts to restore peace and security across the country.
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