Mohamed Garba
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has dealt a significant blow to Boko Haram’s operations in the Mandara Mountains, destroying the group’s logistics hub and command centre in a daring nocturnal airstrike. The precision strike, conducted on Sunday, March 16, also eliminated scores of terrorists, further degrading their fighting capability.
According to Group Captain Kabiru Ali, the Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information, the NAF’s precision airstrikes have consistently targeted terrorist strongholds, disrupting their activities and creating favourable conditions for ground troops to advance. The latest operation is a testament to the NAF’s growing dominance in air power capabilities, demonstrating its ability to launch effective strikes both day and night.
Captain Ali, said,
“In a bold demonstration of air power and precision night warfare capabilities, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) executed a devastating nocturnal airstrike against terrorist hideouts in Chikide and Degbewa on 16 March 2025.
“The night operation targeted insurgent enclaves deep within the treacherous Mandara Mountains, delivering a crippling blow to the terrorists’ stronghold and disrupting their activities.
“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.
“Following this intelligence, the NAF immediately launched a precision night strike under the cover of darkness, achieving complete surprise,” the deputy spokesperson said.
He added that: “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.
“Through relentless precision strikes and sustained air operations, the NAF remains committed to utilising its formidable air power to neutralise terrorist networks and restore lasting peace to the region.”
The airstrike was the result of credible intelligence gathered through Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, which indicated that notorious terrorist leader Ali Ngulde and his fighters were planning a high-level engagement in the area. The NAF’s swift response caught the terrorists off guard, achieving complete surprise and dealing a crippling blow to their operations.
