The Nigerian Air Force said on Monday, April 21, that the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai executed precision airstrikes within the Yuwe axis of the Sambisa Forest on February 28, 2026, killing several terrorists, including senior commanders.
Details of the operation were made public on April 21. The NAF did not disclose the exact number of casualties but said post-strike assessments confirmed the neutralization of high-value operatives actively coordinating hostile activities.
The early morning strikes on February 28 followed confirmatory Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance that identified structures used as terrorist commanders’ hideouts and logistics warehouses, NAF spokesman Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame said in a statement. “Acting with precision and overwhelming force, NAF strike elements successfully acquired and engaged the validated targets, effectively dismantling critical terrorist infrastructure,” the statement read. The Yuwe axis has been a known enclave for insurgent groups.
NAF said the strikes disrupted the terrorists’ command-and-control structure and degraded their logistics network. Sustained ISR presence has continued over the area to engage additional verified targets. The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, commended the professionalism of the aircrew and supporting personnel. Context:
The February 28 operation is one of at least 10 NAF airstrike missions publicly reported between January 1 and April 21, 2026. Others include strikes on January 15–16 in Musarram and Azir, Borno; March 17–18 in Abirma and Malam Fatori; and April 1 in Kangarwa, Lake Chad. Defence Headquarters said battle damage assessment for the Yuwe operation is ongoing.
