NAF crushes terror networks, neutralises 2,351, records 274 air strikes across Nigeria in 2025
Nigerian Air Force NAF
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has marked 2025 as a landmark year in counter-terrorism, neutralising 2,351 terrorists through 274 precision Air Interdiction (AI) missions flown in 379 combat sorties.
These operations racked up about 800 flight hours, targeting terrorist strongholds, logistics hubs, training camps, and key mobility routes nationwide—excluding hundreds more missions for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), close air support, and armed reconnaissance.
The strikes delivered far-reaching blows beyond direct casualties.
In the North-East, North-West, and North-Central regions, sustained attacks disrupted supply chains, severed escape routes, and dismantled leadership structures.
This paved the way for ground forces to reclaim territory, stabilise communities, and shrink terrorist networks, slashing their operational tempo and morale.
In the Niger Delta, NAF air power targeted maritime threats, destroying hundreds of illegal refining reservoirs, 126 storage tanks, and multiple boats used by oil thieves.
These efforts curbed funding for crime and violence, boosted oil production, and bolstered economic security.
Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, hailed the results during a year-end briefing.
“The outcomes recorded in 2025 clearly demonstrate the growing precision, effectiveness, and lethality of Nigerian Air Force air power,” he stated.
“These results were made possible through intelligence-driven targeting, improved platform availability, enhanced crew proficiency, and seamless integration with surface forces and other security agencies.”
Aneke credited President Bola Tinubu’s administration for the gains.
He noted that investments in modern platforms, training, welfare, infrastructure, and policies—backed by strong political will and funding—have supercharged NAF’s readiness to protect national security.
