By Chimezie Godfrey
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has recorded one of its most decisive operational performances in recent history, neutralising no fewer than 2,351 terrorists across multiple theatres of operation nationwide in 2025.
This was achieved through the execution of 274 Air Interdiction (AI) missions, flown in 379 combat sorties, targeting terrorist enclaves, logistics hubs, training camps and critical mobility corridors in the North-East, North-West and North-Central regions.
According to the NAF, the missions accumulated nearly 800 flight hours, excluding hundreds of additional airpower operations involving Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), close air support to ground troops and armed reconnaissance missions.
Beyond the immediate neutralisation of hostile elements, the sustained air interdiction campaign significantly disrupted terrorist supply chains, severed movement routes and degraded leadership coordination across various networks.
These operational effects, the Air Force noted, enabled surface forces to advance, reclaim contested territories and stabilise vulnerable communities, while reducing the operational tempo and morale of terrorist and bandit groups.
In the maritime and energy security domain, precision air strikes in the Niger Delta led to the destruction of hundreds of illegal refining reservoirs, 126 storage tanks and several boats used by oil thieves and criminal syndicates.
The NAF said these actions curtailed the financing of violent groups, improved crude oil production and reinforced Nigeria’s economic resilience.
Commenting on the achievements, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, said the results reflected the growing precision and lethality of NAF air power.
“The outcomes recorded in 2025 clearly demonstrate the growing precision, effectiveness and lethality of Nigerian Air Force air power,” Aneke stated.
He attributed the successes to intelligence-driven targeting, improved platform availability, enhanced crew proficiency and seamless integration with surface forces and other security agencies.
The CAS also acknowledged the sustained support of the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, citing investments in modern platforms, personnel welfare, training and infrastructure as key enablers of enhanced operational readiness.
Looking ahead, Air Marshal Aneke assured Nigerians that the NAF would intensify kinetic operations in 2026 while maintaining strict adherence to Rules of Engagement and International Humanitarian Law.
“The Nigerian Air Force will remain relentless and decisive in taking the fight to all enemies of the Nigerian state. Criminal and terrorist elements will find no safe haven anywhere within our borders,” he declared.
The NAF further reassured citizens that civilian protection remains central to its operations and urged Nigerians to support security agencies with timely and credible information.
NAF Neutralises 2,351 Terrorists in 274 Air Interdiction Missions in 2025
