By Joy Odor Reportcircle News
Before dawn broke over Borno State, Nigerian Air Force fighter jets were already airborne, racing against time and intelligence to prevent what could have been another deadly chapter in the region’s long-running insurgency.
In two tightly coordinated operations across Azir and Musarram, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) delivered decisive close air support that neutralised scores of terrorist fighters, shattered their formations and stopped planned attacks in their tracks.
The strikes, carried out on 15 and 16 January 2026, underscore a renewed tempo in Nigeria’s air campaign against insurgent groups operating in the North-East.
In the early hours of 16 January, troops on the ground at Azir came under pressure as terrorists attempted to disengage and melt back into surrounding cover.
A real-time situation report triggered an immediate aerial response under the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI.
Within minutes, NAF aircraft arrived overhead. From the cockpit, aircrew observed friendly forces in contact, with terrorist elements retreating and attempting to regroup beneath clusters of trees.
The response was swift and clinical.
Successive, well-timed attack passes were executed, pinning down and striking the fleeing fighters.
By the time the jets pulled away, several terrorists had been neutralised and the area had fallen silent. Post-strike assessments showed no residual threat.
Ground commanders, local authorities and community sources later confirmed the impact: the terrorist presence was broken and relative calm restored to Azir.
Musarram: A Plot Drowned Before It Sailed.
A day earlier, on 15 January, intelligence pointed to a more ambitious plot unfolding in the Tumbuns area around Musarram.
Terrorists were reportedly assembling on canoes, preparing to launch coordinated attacks along the Baga and Fish Dam axis, an area of both strategic and economic importance.
NAF air assets were dispatched without delay.
On arrival, aircrew sighted about 10 canoes and more than 40 suspected fighters clustered at the location.
The engagement unfolded in three aggressive attack runs that threw the terrorists into chaos.
Some attempted to flee toward nearby tree cover.
They were tracked and engaged.
Others regrouped at an assembly point, only to be acquired and struck again using available mission stores.
By the end of the operation, the concentration had been effectively dismantled.
Subsequent feedback from ground troops and local communities confirmed that the operation not only neutralised fighters but also completely disrupted the planned attacks.
Reacting to the operations, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, described the missions as a clear signal of the Air Force’s readiness to act whenever troops are in danger.
“These operations highlight the Nigerian Air Force’s readiness to respond decisively whenever our troops are in contact,” he said.
“Through effective intelligence utilisation and close coordination with ground forces, we will continue to deny terrorists the ability to regroup, manoeuvre or carry out attacks.”
Air Marshal Aneke also sought to reassure the wider public that the momentum would be sustained.
“The Nigerian Air Force remains firmly committed to protecting our troops and safeguarding the nation.
Nigerians can be assured that we will continue to maintain relentless pressure on all terrorist elements until lasting peace and security are achieved,” he added.
Beyond the immediate tactical gains, the twin strikes in Azir and Musarram highlight the growing effectiveness of integrated air–ground operations in Nigeria’s counterterrorism campaign.
Precision, speed and intelligence-driven action are increasingly shaping outcomes on the battlefield.
For insurgent groups seeking space to regroup or plan fresh assaults, the message from the skies over Borno is unambiguous: the window is closing, and the airspace is no longer forgiving.
