Breaking: Jubilation as Over 15 Terrorists Killed in Military’s Airstrikes in Sambisa, Borno

• Over 15 terrorists were killed and key structures destroyed in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) airstrikes in Zuba, Borno state, northeast geopolitical zone, on Wednesday, September 3
• NAF’s spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, who announced this in a statement Thursday morning, September 4, stated that the strikes were “carefully planned and executed"
• According to Air Commodore Ejodame, the latets air interdiction mission struck a newly-identified terrorist enclave west of Zuwa in the Sambisa general area in Borno state

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering security matters in Nigeria.

Maiduguri, Borno state - The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has said more than 15 terrorists have been killed in precision air strikes around the Sambisa forest in Borno state.

Ehimen Ejodame, NAF’s director of public relations and information, announced this in a statement on Thursday, September 4, according to The Cable.

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The Nation also noted the development.

Ejodame said the operation, carried out on Wednesday, September 3, under Operation Hadin Kai, targeted a hideout west of Zuwa following credible intelligence and confirmatory surveillance.

He said:

“The mission targeted hideouts harbouring fighters and commanders responsible for recent hostilities around Bitta.

“The strikes proved devastating, neutralising over 15 terrorists and demolishing key structures critical to their operations.

“This latest success underscores the NAF’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of Nigerians while supporting ground troops in joint operations to dismantle terrorist networks.

“The Nigerian Air Force continues to stand as a symbol of vigilance, professionalism, and decisive airpower in defence of national security.

“Every successful strike brings Nigeria one step closer to lasting peace.”

Prolonged terrorism challenge in Nigeria

For more than 15 years, Nigeria’s armed forces have battled Boko Haram, bandits, and groups affiliated with ISIL (ISIS), with millions affected and thousands killed. Despite government claims of “technical defeat”, rebel attacks persist, raising critical questions about strategy and accountability.

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“Declare state of emergency in north,” Northern elders tell Tinubu, give reason

A new armed group called Lakurawa is attacking villages in remote corners of northwestern Nigeria and across the border in Niger, posing new threats to two countries that already suffer from protracted conflict involving several other groups, including Boko Haram.

Attacks by the group have killed dozens of people, and at least nine suspected members are known and have been declared wanted by the Nigerian army.

The northern region is one of the hottest beds of violence in Nigeria, with its states experiencing a toxic mix of armed attacks, kidnappings and banditry in recent years.

Ways to improve Nigeria's security

Meanwhile, Matthew Page, an associate fellow in the Chatham House think tank’s Africa Programme, said the Nigerian armed forces are capable but spread thin, performing too many internal security tasks that should be the responsibility of the police.

Speaking during an expert panel hosted by the Brookings Institution, Page encouraged “sustained, high-level political will and a president capable of planning and seeing through a programme of security sector reform designed to overcome resistance from the security sector.”

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"Muslims, Christians are killed": Ndume warns against religious profiling as Boko Haram ravages communities

Idayat Hassan, director of the Lagos-based Centre for Democracy and Development, advised “a shift in mindset from symptom to cause and an immediate investment in peacebuilding initiatives along [ethnic and religious] fault lines.

Read more on Nigeria's counterinsurgency efforts:

• Nigeria’s defence spending tops N12.6trn in war against Boko Haram
• Nigerian Army speaks about concluding counter insurgency war in northeast

'8,000 terrorists, bandits killed'

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Bello Matawalle, minister of state for defence, shared that over 8,000 terrorists and bandits were killed in 2024.

Matawalle stated that more than 11,600 criminal elements had been apprehended too while over 10,000 assorted weapons were recovered in the period under review.

According to the former Zamfara state governor, these were clear indicators that President Bola Tinubu is winning the fight against insecurity.

Source: Legit.ng