KEY POINTS
- Airstrikes in Borno have killed 592 militants since January.
- More than 200 vehicles and 166 logistics hubs were destroyed.
- Analysts say militant attacks continue despite the offensive.
Nigeria’s military says it has killed 592 armed militants in the country’s northeast over the past eight months, marking one of its most aggressive air campaigns in recent years.
Chief of Air Staff Hasan Abubakar disclosed the figures during a visit to Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum on Tuesday, saying the gains had already surpassed last year’s operational results. The strikes targeted fighters from Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), both of which have waged a brutal insurgency for over a decade.
Airstrikes in Borno target militant strongholds
The air force said it destroyed more than 200 technical vehicles and 166 logistics hubs, crippling the supply networks that fuel militant operations. Abubakar described the air war as “faster, sharper and more surgical,” with missions eliminating high-value targets and dismantling insurgent cells in key locations such as Gonori, Rann, Dikwa, Damboa, Azir, and Mallam Fatori.
The offensive has been supported by A-29 Super Tucano aircraft for precision and night missions, Mi-171 helicopters for logistics and medical evacuation, and advanced surveillance systems for round-the-clock target tracking. We expect a newly acquired Mi-35 gunship to enhance close-air support for ground forces.
Airstrikes in Borno face verification challenges
According to Reuters, although the military declares the operation a success, analysts advise against accepting the figures without question. Confidence MacHarry, a senior analyst at SBM Intelligence, said militant factions have continued to mount attacks despite the strikes, especially since ISWAP launched a renewed offensive late last year.
Under Operation Hadin Kai, the military’s counterinsurgency effort in the northeast, Nigerian Air Force aircraft have flown 798 combat sorties and logged over 1,500 operational hours this year. Similar tactics were used in a recent joint operation in Zamfara, northwest Nigeria, where scores of armed gang members were killed after being spotted preparing to raid a village.
