NAF Destroys Terrorist Hideout in Sambisa After Precision Airstrike; Operation Linked to Earlier Attack on Troops

In a major counterterrorism success, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has destroyed a notorious terrorist hideout in ARRA, within the Sambisa general area, following a precision air interdiction mission carried out on November 19, 2025.

The operation, confirmed in a statement signed by NAF spokesperson Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, was executed on the directive of the Chief of the Air Staff after sustained intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) efforts.

According to the statement, the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI launched the strike after tracking movements of terrorists linked to an earlier ambush on ground troops at Kashomri. Persistent ISR monitoring revealed suspicious activities and active terrorist structures in ARRA, prompting the intelligence-led assault. NAF air assets engaged the targets through coordinated, successive strikes that successfully destroyed all designated objectives.

The Air Force noted that the mission significantly degraded the terrorists’ operational capabilities, disrupting their command, logistics networks, and freedom of movement. Ejodame emphasized that the strike reflects NAF’s unwavering commitment to national security, support for ground troops, and sustained pressure on insurgent elements across all operational theatres.

This development follows the tragic killing of Brigadier Musa Uba, who was ambushed and executed by ISWAP terrorists after reportedly being tracked through intercepted military communications.

Prior reports indicate that Brigadier Uba had earlier confirmed his safety to senior officers after a successful joint air-ground rescue operation. However, terrorists allegedly intercepted details of his location, enabling them to capture and execute him after interrogation.

The initial confrontation occurred when Uba and his troops unknowingly advanced through a booby-trapped route. After coming under heavy fire and facing overwhelming terrorist numbers, he ordered a tactical withdrawal and issued a distress call. NAF aircraft, diverted from other missions, provided immediate close air support, dispersing the attackers and rescuing Uba, his soldiers, and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) members.

Military intelligence sources confirmed that the joint operation resulted in the elimination of numerous terrorists, with minimal casualties on the Nigerian side.

The subsequent killing of Brigadier Uba, however, underscores ongoing operational risks and the urgent need to secure military communication channels in the North-East theatre.