The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has recorded yet another operational success in the ongoing fight against insurgency, as precision airstrikes carried out under Operation Hadin Kai have obliterated a terrorist Improvised Explosive Device (IED) factory and multiple gun trucks in Kwaltiri, located within the volatile Tumbuktu Triangle of Borno State.
This was disclosed on Thursday by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, who confirmed that the coordinated strikes took place on June 18, 2025, following credible intelligence reports indicating heightened terrorist activity in the area.
According to the statement, real-time aerial surveillance conducted prior to the operation verified the existence of a concealed bomb-making facility as well as armed vehicles used by the insurgents. Once identified, NAF fighter jets engaged the targets in multiple precision runs, resulting in a series of devastating hits that neutralised dozens of terrorists and destroyed critical assets belonging to the insurgent group.
“The successful elimination of the IED factory and armed trucks represents a significant blow to the terrorists’ operational capacity,” Gabkwet stated. “Beyond the physical destruction, the strikes have severely disrupted their command, logistics and movement channels. The psychological impact on their ranks cannot be underestimated, as their confidence and momentum continue to decline.”
The operation is part of intensified efforts by the Nigerian military to degrade the remnants of Boko Haram and ISWAP factions operating in the North East. The Tumbuktu Triangle, a region notorious for its dense terrain and frequent terrorist activities, has long served as a hideout for insurgents, making this latest offensive a critical strategic gain for Nigerian forces.
The Nigerian Air Force reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining pressure on terrorist elements and working in concert with ground troops to ensure lasting peace and stability in the region. It also urged communities to remain vigilant and continue supporting the military with actionable intelligence to ensure timely interventions.
This latest strike adds to a growing list of aerial operations that have shifted the momentum in favour of the Nigerian Armed Forces, with key terrorist infrastructure being dismantled in recent months as part of a broader national security strategy.
