Relentless Pursuit: NAF Commits to Finding, Fixing, and Striking Insurgents, Records Major Successes in January

By Olayemi Esan

… Precision Strikes to Keep Nigeria Safe

The Nigerian military’s air component, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), recorded significant milestones in January 2025, following a series of successful air interdiction operations across the theatre. The precision strikes, conducted in furtherance of ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency efforts, yielded substantial results, underscoring the NAF’s commitment to ensuring the security and stability of the nation.

At NAF Administration Personnel Seminar, recently the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar emphasized that the Nigerian Air Force unwavering commitment to national security and the total defeat of terrorism and banditry. He said; “Our relentless operations against criminal elements reaffirm our determination to protect innocent lives and restore peace across the nation. Let me make it clear that airpower will extend the long arm of the law, bringing justice to criminals hiding in ungoverned space. We will find, fix and strike all those who take arms against the State, and we will not relent until Nigeria is safe for all.

SpyeTV Defence Correspondence, Olayemi Esan takes a look at some of the operational successes of the Nigerian Air Force in close coordination with the ground forces (Nigerian Army and Nigerian Navy).

On 2 January 2025, following credible reports and confirmatory ISR on the converging of BH/ISWAP terrorists around the Mandara Mountains, the air component of Operation HADIN KAI conducted air interdiction. The locations were acquired and engaged with stores on boards. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized and their logistics destroyed. Overall, troops of Operation HADIN KAI neutralized 64 terrorists, arrested 28 suspects and rescued 14 kidnappers hostages.

On 3 January 2025,the air component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA in continuation of its ongoing offensive operations against terrorists conducted air interdiction at Alawa Forest in Shiroro LGA of Niger State. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were eliminated and their structures as well as logistics were destroyed. Overall, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA neutralized 21 terrorists, arrested 24 persons and rescued 5 kidnapped hostages.

On 4th January 2025, the air component of Operation HADIN KAI conducted air interdiction on the fleeing ISWAP/BHT terrorists on motorcycles and Gun trucks in the SABON GARI Village of DAMBOA Local Government Area of Borno State Battle Damage Assessment revealed several killed terrorists and recovered weapons. On the whole, 34 terrorists were killed and 23 AK 47 weapons recovered. Troops also recovered with over 200 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. Sadly, 6 personnel were killed in action.

The terrorists had attempted to surprise troops and retaliate against the recent killing of their commander and combatants by troops but the troops’ reinforcement team comprised of elements of the Civilian Joint Taskforce, vigilantes as well as hybrid forces timely arrived at the scene to overpower the terrorists.

On 6 January 2025, following credible reports, the air component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA conducted air interdiction in continuation of ongoing offensive operations against terrorist activities within Alawa Forest in Shiroro LGA of Niger State. The location was acquired and attacked with rockets and bombs in multiple passes. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized and their structures destroyed.

On the same day, based on credible reports and confirmatory ISR on activities of terrorists, the air component also conducted air interdiction at Maikaho and Mashigin areas in Zuru LGA of Kebbi State. Accordingly, the target was acquired and engaged with stores on board. Battle Damage Assessment and local feedback revealed that several terrorists were neutralized as well as over 12 kidnapped hostages rescued.

On 6 January 2025, following credible reports and confirmatory ISR on the activities of the BH/ISWAP terrorists at Wulade in Gwoza LGA of Borno State. The air component of Operation HADIN KAI conducted air interdiction. The target with gun trucks was acquired and attacked with stores on board. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were eliminated and their logistics destroyed. Overall, troops of Operation HADIN KAI neutralized 76 terrorists, arrested 72 suspects and rescued 8 kidnappers hostages.

On 8th January 2025, Director Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Olusola F Akinboyewa also shared one of the major successful achievements in January, which is the accomplishment of the remarkable feat of reactivating a Dornier DO-228 aircraft, which had been grounded for 23 years. Significantly, this accomplishment builds upon the NAF’s earlier successes, such as the conduct of the first in-country 4,800-hour inspection on another DO-228 aircraft in January 2025.

The aircraft, originally designated “5N-MPS” and operated by the now defunct Ministry of Mines, Power, and Steel, had been grounded at the DANA facility in Kaduna since 2001. However, sequel to a Presidential Directive for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to transfer such grounded platforms to the NAF for evaluation and possible reactivation, the NAF initiated this project. The NAF took on the challenge of reactivating this aircraft, a Dash 201 Series with only 1,081 flight hours since new, considering the task a unique opportunity to restore a valuable national asset. The reactivation process, for the grounded aircraft – redesignated “NAF-039” – was conducted between June and September 2024, involving meticulous planning and painstaking execution by a crack team of 5 engineering officers and 40 technicians from the NAF 431 Engineering Group (Engr Gp), Kaduna.

On 10 January 2025, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, has delivered a crushing blow to banditry in Zamfara State, through a devastatingly well-coordinated air-ground assault, the Air strikes and synchronized ground assaults at Fakai Hills decimated scores of bandits, leaving many others gravely wounded. This bold operation underscored the unwavering resolve of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to restore peace and security to the region.

Local intelligence reports confirmed that the bandits, loyal to notorious leader Kachallah Bello Turji, suffered heavy casualties. Scores of bandits were neutralized, while many others, including some top commanders, sustained varying degrees of injuries. Sequel to the fierce engagement, Kachallah Turji’s whereabouts remain unknown, adding further pressure on his crumbling network.

The operation was meticulously executed, with real-time coordination from an Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance platform overhead, ensuring accurate target correlation. The identified targets were swiftly engaged using rockets and cannons in multiple passes, delivering devastating blows to the enemy. The aircrew maintained visual and radio contact with the ground troops. The bandits, in a desperate bid to escape, were observed fleeing eastward of the hill, prompting further engagements that successfully neutralized additional targets.

On 12 January 2025, the NAF spokesperson, however, notified the public that due to the reported incidence of civilian casualties in the recent Nigerian Air Force (NAF) airstrikes in Zamfara State, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has dispatched a fact-finding team to Zamfara to fully investigate the incident and provide a detailed report for further action. The Team, led by Air Vice Marshal Edward K Gabkwet, Director of Coordination and Cooperation (DCC) in the Civil-Military Relations Branch of NAF Headquarters, liaised and interfaced with State and Local Government officials as well as all other critical stakeholders, for a holistic assessment of the situation to drive the appropriate response.

A comprehensive investigation was launched, to ascertain the veracity of the loss of civilian lives in the course of the operation at Tungar Kara in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, noting that responsible and professional custodian of airpower for the security of the nation, the NAF believes in the absolute value of the life of every Nigerian.

On 17 January 2025, following credible reports and confirmatory ISR in conjunction with land ground troops, the air component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA conducted air interdiction in Fakai Hill in Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara State. Accordingly, the target was acquired and engaged with rockets and bombs. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that a numbers of terrorists were eliminated. Overall, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA neutralized 44 terrorists, arrested 27 persons and rescued 16 kidnapped hostages.

Also, On 17 January 2025, a coordinated operation between troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA as well as the air component conducted clearance operations along Shinkafi , Kagara, Fakai , Moriki, Maiwa and Chindo axis. The operations killed scores of terrorist including notorious terrorist leaders, Bello TURJI’S, son on Fakai high ground where the terrorist were hiding.

The intensity of troops fire power resulted in high terrorist casualties and their logistics hub destroyed. The operations also resulted in the rescue of several kidnapped hostages held captive by Bello TURJI. The terrorist leader, Bello Turji, in a gross cowardly act escaped abandoning his son and combatants.

Meanwhile, in a related development , troops also destroyed another terrorist kingpin camp known as Idi Mallam along Zango Kagara Forest . During the encounter, troops neutralized 3 terrorist, and arrested 3 suspected collaborators

On 19 January 2025, two prominent terrorist leaders namely, Abu RADDE and UMAR BLACK, operating in Batsari and Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State surrendered to troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA operating in the North West operational theatre of the nation. The surrender was occassioned by ongoing synchronised offensive operations by the the air component and the ground troops which resulted in several terrorist dislodged from their enclaves with high casualties.

During the operations, troops recovered assorted weapons, ammunitions as well as secured the release of 15 hostages held by the terrorist. Troops are nevertheless sustaining the momentum as they continue the hunt for notorious terrorist leader, Bello Turji, among others.

On 21 January 2025, the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA (AC OPFY) recorded another significant achievement in its counter-terrorism campaign, neutralising scores of bandits and dismantling their logistics base at Alawa Forest in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

This operation, was based on credible intelligence and follow-up confirmatory aerial surveillance efforts which indicated an influx of armed terrorists into the forest. These criminals were linked to widespread violence, including two Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attacks on 19 December 2024 in Bassa, Shiroro LGA, which claimed several innocent lives.

In response, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) launched a three-day sustained air operation, code-named KONAN DAJI, to degrade the terrorists’ capabilities and render the forest unhabitable for them. To this end, AC OPFY dispatched a formation of fighter aircraft to execute air interdiction missions in the area. Upon arrival, the jets swiftly engaged the identified targets with precision strikes, neutralising numerous armed fighters and destroying their logistics base, as confirmed by multiple secondary explosions.

Troops recorded several encounters with terrorists during the course of the clearance operations which result in over 70 terrorists combatants including 3 notable terrorist commanders neutralized. The terrorist commanders neutralised include and is not limited to the following: TALHA (Terrorist Special Forces Commander), Mallam UMAR (Terrorist Operations commander) and ⁠ABU YAZEED (Terrorist Brigade Commander).

Between the 20-21 Jan 2025, sequel to ongoing military onslaught on terrorist in the North West of the country, between the 20-21 Jan 2025, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA neutralized the second-in-command of notorious terrorist leader Bello Turji’s namely, Aminu Kanawa. Troops also inflicted terminal injuries on some of Bello Turji’s close allies namely: Dosso (Bello Turji’s younger brother) and Danbokolo (one of Turji’s closest allies).

Additionally, troops neutralised several of Bello Turji’s key commanders namely: Abu Dan Shehu, Jabbi Dogo, Dan Kane, Basiru Yellow, Kabiru Gebe, Bello Buba and Dan Inna Kahon-Saniya-Yafi-Bahaushe, among others. Furthermore, troops neutralised over 24 fleeing terrorist from Bello Turji’s Camp around Gebe and Isa LGA of Sokoto State, as well as around Gidan Rijiya in Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara State.

Troops also neutralized another notable terrorist during the onslaught on Bello Turji’s Enclave around Fakai high ground. He is identified as Suleiman, and a loyalist of late notorious terrorist leader, Halilu Sububu. The late, Suleiman was leading a reinforcement team to rescue Bello Turji’s Camp which was in disarray, when he was eliminated during the fire fight.

The death of Bello Turji’s second in command, close allies, commanders and combatants is a significant blow to the terrorist network in the NW of the country, as well as their military and fighting capabilities. These group of terrorists were notorious for numerous kidnappings and terrorist attacks across the NW, particularly in Zurmi, Shinkafi, Isa, and Sabon Birni Local Government Areas in Zamfara and Sokoto States.

The NAF, in close coordination with ground forces, remains resolute in its commitment to maintaining operational dominance across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Together, we will defeat all enemies militating against the security of our territories and wellbeing of our people, paving the way for the peace and prosperity of our Great Nation.

OLAYEMI ESAN IS AN AWARD WINNING BROADCAST JOURNALIST AND A PUBLIC RELATIONS PRACTITIONER. SHE IS A MEMBER OF NIPR AND THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF SPYE TV [SPYE COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED]. SHE CAN BE REACHED VIA 08035132961 OR [email protected]