The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced another major operational success in the North East, following a precision air interdiction mission that struck a terrorist enclave at Kangarwa in the Northern Tumbuns, eliminating scores of fighters and destroying key infrastructure.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the airstrike was carried out on 1 April 2026 at about 12:05 p.m. under the Air Component of Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, after credible intelligence and prior Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions confirmed the presence and sustained activity of terrorist elements within the settlement.
Ejodame said the operation targeted terrorists observed moving around structures and concealed positions in the enclave. Following positive identification and confirmation of the targets, NAF aircraft executed multiple aggressive strike passes, delivering precise fires on the location.
He said the bombardment obliterated key structures, destroyed logistics hubs, and neutralised scores of fighters, significantly degrading the enclave and reducing its operational usefulness to the insurgents.
The NAF stated that the strike also disrupted terrorist movement in the area and created favourable conditions for advancing ground troops to exploit the impact of the bombardment and sustain coordinated clearance operations in support of the broader joint campaign.
According to the statement, the operation is believed to have eliminated several fighters linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), while inflicting a major setback on the group’s command and support structures.
The air force noted that the successful coordination between air and ground forces once again underscores the growing synergy within Operation HADIN KAI and the military’s resolve to deny terrorists any safe haven across the theatre of operations.
Commenting on the sustained momentum of ongoing operations, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, reaffirmed the NAF’s commitment to continued precision, intelligence-driven strikes in close coordination with surface forces until all terrorist enclaves are dismantled and lasting security is restored.
