Borno Under Fire: Military Airstrikes and Ground Ops Kill Scores of Insurgents, Civilians Caught in the Crossfire

The Nigerian military has intensified its campaign against Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters in Borno State, unleashing a series of precision airstrikes and coordinated ground assaults that have left more than 40 terrorists dead and dozens of canoes destroyed. According to Air Force spokesperson Ehimen Ejodame, three bombing runs on January 15‑16 targeted militant staging areas in Musarram and Azir, shattering about 10 canoes and scattering gunmen into nearby trees, where they were subsequently neutralised.

Ground troops from Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have been pushing through the Timbuktu Triangle, clearing camps in Chilaria, Garin Faruk and Abirma. During these sweeps, soldiers repelled multiple drone‑coordinated attacks by the insurgents, recovered weapons, radios, medical supplies, and even uncovered an underground logistics hub stocked with fuel and food. Despite the aggressive push, the military reports that “casualties” have occurred on both sides—several soldiers were wounded, and some civilian structures were damaged by RPG and drone fire, especially in Mafa and Dikwa.

Local officials and community leaders say the sustained pressure has restored a measure of calm in previously volatile areas, though the security situation remains “unpredictable.” The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, emphasized that the operations demonstrate the effectiveness of intelligence‑led air‑ground synergy and pledged continued pressure on terrorist elements until they are fully degraded.