Nigerian Air Force strikes deal major blow to ISWAP in Southern Tumbuns

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), on November 7, 2024, launched a highly successful series of precision airstrikes targeting ISWAP strongholds in the Southern Tumbuns at Arina Woje.

Conducted under Operation Hadin Kai, these strikes were part of Nigeria’s intensified counter-terrorism operations to dismantle insurgent networks and restore stability.

The assault, which destroyed key terrorist hideouts and eliminated a significant number of fighters, underscores a milestone in the nation’s ongoing efforts against terrorism in the Lake Chad region.

The recent strikes were based on actionable intelligence revealing a substantial movement of ISWAP forces from the Lake Chad Basin towards Southern Tumbuns, where they were reportedly gearing up for coordinated assaults. Further surveillance identified clusters of militants, including high-ranking commanders, concealed under dense vegetation in Arina Woje.

Leveraging this intelligence, the NAF deployed fighter jets for a precision air raid, successfully executing devastating strikes that decimated the terrorist encampments.

The operation included follow-up mop-up strikes, ensuring the elimination of retreating insurgents and securing the area from immediate threats.

This mission follows an earlier airstrike on October 30, which saw the NAF eliminate approximately 50 ISWAP fighters at the same location, including a top commander known as Qaid Bashir Dauda.

This earlier strike was instrumental in weakening ISWAP’s operational capabilities in the region, delivering a crippling blow to its leadership structure and disrupting its logistical operations.

According to Air Commodore Olusola F. Akinboyewa, Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF Headquarters, the Nigerian Armed Forces have increasingly harnessed advanced ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) technologies and precision weaponry to stay one step ahead of insurgent threats.

The NAF’s air operations, he emphasized, are designed not only to strike ISWAP targets but also to ensure ongoing support for ground operations led by the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).

This multi-faceted strategy reflects Nigeria’s commitment to neutralizing all entities that threaten national peace and security.

These successes are seen as a significant leap forward in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism objectives, reinforcing a commitment to maintaining relentless pressure on ISWAP and other terrorist factions.

The NAF has affirmed its dedication to sustaining such operations as part of both independent air missions and coordinated efforts with ground forces, to eliminate the persistent and evolving threats posed by ISWAP.

The Nigerian Armed Forces, with continued support from the NAF, remain vigilant in adapting to evolving tactics and taking proactive steps to eliminate terrorist strongholds.

This unwavering resolve reflects a broader national strategy to re-establish peace and stability across Nigeria’s troubled regions, particularly around Lake Chad, and secure the nation’s borders against insurgency.