‘We Will Deny Terrorists Sanctuary Anywhere’ — NAF

The Nigerian Air Force, operating under the joint task force of Operation HADIN KAI, conducted a coordinated air interdiction at Abbaga Jiri in the Timbuktu Triangle on January 8, 2026, targeting locations identified as active terrorist enclaves.

The operation according to the NAF spokesperson Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame formed part of ongoing military efforts to disrupt insurgent activities and weaken their operational base within the region.

NAF said the air strikes followed intelligence gathered from multiple sources, which confirmed the presence of terrorists, operational structures, and concealed logistics facilities within the area.

Following the intelligence, the Force deployed air assets for surveillance and precision strikes, engaging verified targets linked to terrorist activity.

According to the NAF, the operation focused on degrading the combat capacity of terrorist groups, denying them safe havens, and shaping the operational environment ahead of ground troop movements.

The service emphasised that it carried out the strikes in line with established rules of engagement, with deliberate measures taken to protect non-combatants during the mission.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, underscored the intent behind the operation, stating that, “This operation demonstrates our unwavering commitment to delivering precise and decisive airpower in support of ground forces.

“We will continue to deny terrorists freedom of movement, sanctuary, and logistics wherever they seek to hide,” the CAS said.

He further explained that the strikes successfully targeted and destroyed identified terrorist structures, limiting the group’s ability to operate within the area.

He added that air assets also engaged armed elements observed moving toward the location after the initial strikes.

“The identified terrorist structures were decisively engaged and destroyed, denying the terrorists freedom of action, while a follow-up engagement neutralised armed elements observed converging on the location.

“Subsequent advances by ground troops into the area confirmed the effectiveness of the air strikes and validated the success of the joint air–land operation.”

The Force said troops advancing into the area after the strikes verified the impact of the operation, noting that the outcome confirmed coordination between air and ground components of Operation HADIN KAI.

Reaffirming the NAF’s operational approach, Aneke stressed that future air missions would continue to rely on intelligence-driven planning and sustained pressure on terrorist networks operating across the North East.

“Our operations are carefully planned and intelligence-led, ensuring maximum effect on hostile elements while safeguarding innocent civilians.

“The Nigerian Air Force will sustain pressure until terrorist networks are completely dismantled,” he added.