Nigerian Air Force declares round-the-clock war on terrorists, with no hiding place across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
The Sky Is No Longer Safe for Terrorists: NAF’s New Strategy Redefines National Security
In a bold and assertive declaration, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, has issued a resounding warning to terrorists: “There will be no hiding place day or night.”
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has launched a renewed, unrelenting campaign against insurgents and criminal networks across all six geopolitical zones.
From the parched plains of the Northeast to the lush creeks of the South-South, Nigeria’s skies are now under constant surveillance.
And for those who seek to disrupt national peace, the message is clear nowhere is safe.
Operation Hadin Kai: Precision Meets Persistence
Backed by high-tech Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR),
Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) the military’s flagship anti-terrorism mission in the Northeast has entered a new era of strategic air superiority.
According to NAF spokesman Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, this revitalized approach follows months of recalibration and tighter integration with ground forces.
In recent months, NAF’s fleet of fighter jets, drones, and surveillance aircraft have operated with unprecedented intensity,
disrupting militant movements, neutralizing ISWAP enclaves, and impeding their ability to regroup.
“Terror will find no sanctuary,” Air Marshal Abubakar said, his tone steely with conviction. “Our eyes are everywhere, and our resolve is unshaken.”
New Marte: A Failed Siege, A Revealing Victory
A defining moment came on May 24, 2025, when ISWAP fighters attempted a brazen assault on New Marte using motorcycles and a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED).
What they did not anticipate was the NAF’s enhanced surveillance system.
Guided by real-time ISR feeds, Nigerian jets struck the insurgents with clinical precision. Dozens of terrorists were neutralized mid-assault.
Follow-up strikes shattered the remnants of the squadron as they attempted to flee and regroup.
Drone footage revealed the scale of the destruction: twisted metal, charred ground, and abandoned equipment.
Military analysts hailed the operation as a textbook example of modern counterterrorism combining rapid intelligence gathering with swift, decisive action.
The Death of the Nighttime Advantage
Historically, insurgents exploited the cover of darkness to maneuver and launch surprise attacks. But the tide has turned.
The Nigerian Air Force now boasts a fleet equipped with advanced night vision capabilities.
“The night offers no more cover for enemies of the state,” Abubakar declared. “We fly, we strike regardless of the hour.”
This has triggered a psychological shift. Locals in affected communities speak of “death from above” the sudden, unstoppable nature of the strikes.
Fear now spreads within terrorist ranks, with many abandoning camps and fleeing into obscurity.
Beyond the Northeast: A Nationwide Surge
While OPHK focuses on the Northeast, similar air campaigns have been intensified in the Northwest, North Central, South East, and South South.
From bandit hideouts in Zamfara to criminal havens in the Niger Delta, the air force has taken the war to the skies with unrelenting force.
This synchronized nationwide operation ensures that no region is left vulnerable.
The strategic shift has reshaped how insurgents operate, limiting their mobility, destroying supply chains, and driving splinters into once-cohesive networks.
Game-Changer for the Ground Troops
Air dominance is not just about bombs and airstrikes it’s a force multiplier.
NAF’s enhanced support has bolstered the morale and effectiveness of ground forces, enabling better coordination and quicker reaction times.
Ground troops can now rely on 24/7 air coverage, ISR updates, and surgical airstrikes to eliminate threats before they escalate.
In places like Borno and Taraba, this joint synergy is delivering tangible results.
Restoring Civilian Confidence and National Pride
The NAF’s renewed offensive is also restoring civilian confidence in the government’s ability to secure lives and property.
For years, many communities bore the brunt of insurgent attacks with little relief. Now, they see real change.
Residents of Damboa, Kalabalge, and Rann report quieter nights and reduced militant presence.
Farmers, who had previously fled their lands, are beginning to return, albeit cautiously.
Marketplaces are reopening, and life is regaining a fragile but vital sense of normalcy.
NAF’s Modernization: Not Just Hardware, But Strategy
Air Marshal Abubakar’s leadership marks a decisive pivot from reactive defense to proactive offense.
The strategy is no longer about waiting for attacks but preempting them. And the results are evident.
The Air Force’s investments in drones, upgraded aircraft, ISR technology, and personnel training are yielding dividends.
According to military insiders, even international observers have taken note of Nigeria’s growing competence in asymmetric warfare.
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Psychological Warfare: Winning Hearts, Breaking Spirits
Perhaps the most underrated weapon in NAF’s arsenal is psychological warfare.
By depriving insurgents of freedom of movement, sanctuary, and morale, the Air Force is systematically dismantling the myth of invincibility that once emboldened terror cells.
“We have shattered their illusion of nighttime safety,” Abubakar affirmed.
Insiders report intercepted communications that reflect confusion, fear, and desperation among ISWAP factions.
The myth of the untouchable militant is crumbling under the weight of strategic air campaigns.
Civil-Military Relations: A Stronger Social Contract
The Nigerian Air Force is also doubling down on winning public trust.
In addition to military campaigns, the NAF has launched several civil-military outreach programs from medical outreaches to food distribution in liberated zones.
This helps rebuild trust with communities traumatized by years of conflict. It also deters local collaboration with insurgents, further weakening their base.
Terrorism’s Financial Pipeline: NAF Is Targeting It Too
Beyond combatants, the Air Force is disrupting the economic lifelines that sustain terror.
Recent missions have targeted illegal mining operations, fuel smuggling routes, and arms supply lines that fund insurgent campaigns.
Air Marshal Abubakar emphasized that these strikes are as strategic as they are symbolic: “If we cut off their funding, we cut off their strength.”
Looking Ahead: Sustaining the Momentum
The campaign’s success raises a critical question can this intensity be maintained long-term?
Experts believe that as long as intelligence flows remain strong and political will remains firm, the momentum is sustainable.
But the challenges are real. Operational fatigue, resource constraints, and evolving terrorist tactics demand constant innovation.
For now, the Air Force is proving it has both the tools and tenacity for the mission.
Nigeria’s Message to the World
Nigeria’s renewed air offensive is also a message to the world that Africa’s most populous nation is not only fighting back but fighting smart.
The days of one-dimensional security responses are over. What we now see is a multidimensional, intelligence-led war effort that blends technology, strategy, and willpower.
Final Thoughts: The Skies Are Ours
Air Marshal Abubakar’s final words encapsulate the new doctrine:
“We own the skies from Kalabalge to Rann, from Damboa to New Marte. As long as we do, terror will find no rest day or night.”
It’s a bold vision. But as the recent victories show, it’s not just rhetoric it’s reality.
Conclusion: A Vigilant Force for a Resilient Nation
As Nigeria continues its journey through complex security challenges, the Nigerian Air Force’s actions remind us that technology, coordination, and resolve can change the tide.
The threat may persist, but with vigilant skies and a committed command, hope flies higher than fear.
Do you believe the military can finally put an end to terrorism in Nigeria?
Share your thoughts in the comments.
By: Segun ojo
Date:May 29,2025
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