NAF airstrikes hit terrorists’ enclave in Lake Chad – Tribune Online

…eliminate scores of fighters, commanders

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), the Air Component of Joint Task Force North-East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), has conducted a devastating air interdiction mission against a terrorist enclave at Kangarwa in the Northern Tumbuns, Lake Chad, eliminating scores of fighters and commanders.

According to a statement made available to Defence Correspondents in Abuja by the Service spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, “The precision strike, executed on April 1, 2026, at about 1205 hours, was carried out based on credible intelligence, further reinforced by earlier Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions, which confirmed the massing of terrorists and sustained hostile activity within the enclave.”

The statement explained that the operation reflects the NAF’s sustained offensive air campaign aimed at dismantling terrorist sanctuaries and denying insurgents freedom of action across the theatre.

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It added that a number of terrorists were observed moving around structures and concealed positions within the settlement.

The statement reads, “Following positive identification and target confirmation, NAF air assets conducted successive aggressive strike passes, delivering accurate fire on the identified locations.

“The bombardment obliterated key structures, destroyed logistics hubs, and neutralised scores of fighters, leaving the enclave severely degraded and its operational capability significantly diminished.

“The strike has further disrupted terrorist movement and created favourable conditions for advancing ground troops to dominate the area, exploit the effects of the bombardment, and sustain coordinated clearance operations in support of the overall joint campaign.”

The statement further noted that the operation is assessed to have eliminated several ISWAP fighters with devastating impact, while the enclave’s command and support structure suffered a major setback.

It added that the successful integration of air power with ground manoeuvre elements once again highlights the growing synergy within Operation HADIN KAI and the Nigerian military’s determination to deny terrorists any safe haven.

Commenting on the sustained momentum of ongoing operations, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, reaffirmed that the Service would continue to deliver precision, intelligence-driven strikes in close coordination with ground forces until every terrorist enclave is dismantled and lasting security restored.