Nigeria’s military says it has killed 592 armed militia members in Borno State over the past eight months, as intensified air strikes target insurgents in the country’s troubled northeast.
Chief of Air Staff Hasan Abubakar said on Tuesday that the operation—part of Operation Hadin Kai—has destroyed more than 200 technical vehicles and 166 logistics hubs, surpassing results achieved in 2024.
“This year, our air war is faster, sharper and more surgical,” Abubakar said during a visit to Borno Governor Babagana Zulum. “We are taking out high-value targets, crippling logistics networks and dismantling cells that threaten peace in the northeast.”
The offensive has targeted Boko Haram and its offshoot, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which have killed thousands and displaced millions in the region. According to Nigeria Watch, militia gangs in Borno have killed at least 2,000 people since 2023.
Analysts, however, caution that the military’s claimed gains are hard to verify. “The reality on the ground shows that the military’s claim of success pales compared to the gains of leading Boko Haram factions since the renewed ISWAP offensive late 2024,” said Confidence MacHarry of SBM Intelligence.
Abubakar said the air campaign has included coordinated day-and-night strikes in Gonori, Rann, Dikwa, Damboa, Azir, and Mallam Fatori. The operation has been supported by A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, Mi-171 helicopters, enhanced surveillance platforms, and a newly acquired Mi-35 gunship for close-air support.
So far, the Air Force has flown 798 combat sorties and logged over 1,500 flight hours in the campaign.
The military also reported killing scores of armed gang members in Zamfara this week after detecting over 400 fighters preparing to attack a village.
Source: Wesleyannews.com
Do you have a story to share? Send it to our editorial team at editor@wesleyannews.com
