Nigerian Air force night airstrikes annihilate terrorists’ hub in Mandara Mountain

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said its airstrike destroyed terrorists’ hideouts in Chikide and Degbewa onMarch 16, 2025.

Group Captain Kabiru Ali, Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force, in a statement said the night operation targeted insurgents’ enclaves deep within the treacherous Mandara Mountains, delivering a crippling blow to the terrorists’ stronghold and disrupting their activities.

He said acting on credible Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) data, reports indicated that the notorious terrorist leader, Ali Ngulde, and his fighters had planned a high-level engagement at the location.

ISR missions over the area confirmed terrorist activity at a key assembly point in Degbewa, alongside the presence of heavily fortified structures equipped with solar-powered installations – clear evidence of an active command hub, he said.

Following this intelligence, the NAF immediately launched a precision night strike under the cover of darkness, achieving complete surprise.

According to him, the coordinated firepower extensively destroyed the terrorists’ logistics and command centre, igniting large fires that obliterated multiple structures and eliminated scores of terrorists in their hideouts.

“This operation against Boko Haram enclaves across the theatre significantly degraded their fighting capability while creating favourable conditions for ground troops to advance and dominate the battlespace.

“The successful execution of this night operation underscores the NAF’s growing dominance in both day and night air power capabilities, proving that insurgents can no longer operate under the cover of darkness,” he further stated.

According to the statement, through relentless precision strikes and sustained air operations, the NAF remained committed to utilising its formidable air power to neutralise terrorist networks and restore lasting peace to the region.