The Nigerian Air Force has intensified its counter-insurgency campaign with a successful airstrike targeting terrorist hideouts in Sambisa Forest, a known stronghold of insurgent groups in Nigeria’s North-East.
The operation was carried out on Monday, April 20, 2026, as part of ongoing military efforts under Operation Hadin Kai, which continues to focus on dismantling terrorist networks in the region.
Confirming the development, the Director of Public Relations and Information for the NAF, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said the mission was launched following credible intelligence indicating the movement and concentration of insurgents within the forest.
According to him, the air component deployed fighter jets to carry out precision strikes on identified targets. The operation resulted in the neutralisation of several insurgents and the destruction of critical logistics structures believed to support their activities.
“The Nigerian Air Force, acting on credible intelligence, conducted a successful air interdiction mission on terrorist enclaves in Sambisa Forest. Several terrorists were neutralised, and their structures destroyed,” the statement said.
The NAF added that the strike forms part of sustained military pressure designed to degrade the operational capacity of insurgent groups and limit their ability to regroup or launch attacks.
Importantly, the statement noted that no civilian casualties were recorded during the operation, underscoring the precision of the strike.
