NAF air strikes destroy terrorist boats, neutralise fighters in Kukawa riverine

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), operating under the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), has recorded significant operational gains against terrorist elements in the Lake Chad and North-East axis, following coordinated night-time precision air strikes in the riverine areas of Kukawa Local Government Area, Borno State.

Security sources disclosed that the strikes, conducted after weeks of sustained intelligence gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), targeted increased terrorist movement and logistics activities around the Malimbe–Masaram Island corridor and the Northern Tumbuns.

According to the sources, credible human intelligence (HUMINT) and persistent aerial surveillance confirmed the movement of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) fighters transiting through Masaram Island toward Malimbe, as well as activities around Toumbun Beriberi in Kukawa LGA.

The air strikes were executed on January 18 under the cover of darkness, using precision-guided munitions to ensure accuracy and minimise collateral damage.

“Swift and successive interdictions were carried out on identified targets. Several JAS fighters were neutralised, while their watercraft—used for movement and logistics across the Tumbuns and Lake Chad waterways—were completely destroyed,” the sources said.

They added that terrorists who escaped the strikes at Malimbe and Toumbun Beriberi abandoned their positions and fled the area.

Post-strike battle damage assessment indicated that the fleeing fighters withdrew toward the Abadam axis in a disorganised manner, reportedly expressing fears that their movements had been compromised by informants within their ranks.

“The operation was highly successful. However, due to concerns over possible reprisals against civilians suspected of cooperating with security forces, air and ground monitoring of the area has been intensified,” the sources noted.

In a related development, the NAF also carried out another major air interdiction mission on January 20 against a newly identified terrorist enclave codenamed “Rackstar” in the Northern Tumbuns.

At about 1:00 p.m. on January 20, ISR assets identified the location as a suspected safe haven for Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters, including key commanders. The enclave was also believed to be used as an improvised explosive device (IED) assembly site and weapons maintenance workshop.

Further reconnaissance revealed terrorist structures concealed within dense, waterlogged vegetation typical of the Tumbuns, about 1.9 kilometres southwest of the initial coordinates. Observations also confirmed the presence of terrorists at two separate locations, along with a solar panel and a black flag—clear indicators of active occupation.

“Selected targets were acquired and engaged with onboard munitions. The strikes significantly degraded the terrorists’ operational capacity and disrupted their command and logistics networks,” the sources said.

They stressed that the sustained air operations form part of Operation Hadin Kai’s broader strategy to deny terrorist groups freedom of movement, safe havens and logistical resources across the Lake Chad basin.