Fresh sambisa airstrikes carried out by the Nigerian Air Force have destroyed terrorist logistics bases and operational strongholds within the Sambisa Forest axis in Borno State. The operation, conducted under the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, targeted insurgent hideouts and support facilities following intelligence and surveillance reports confirming militant activity in the area.
The Nigerian Air Force disclosed that the latest operation was executed on May 26, 2026, after Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance reports identified terrorist positions around Biramiri in the Gezuwa general area of Borno State. According to the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, NAF air assets launched precision strikes against the identified locations.
Ejodame stated that the coordinated bombardments destroyed key terrorist structures, logistics hubs, and operational facilities concealed within the Sambisa Forest environment. Several insurgents were also reportedly neutralised during the offensive.
The Sambisa airstrikes form part of sustained military operations aimed at weakening insurgent networks operating across North-East Nigeria. Military authorities said the operation significantly degraded the operational capacity of terrorist elements active within the forest corridor.
The Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai has maintained an aggressive aerial campaign against terrorist enclaves across Borno and surrounding areas in recent months. Security officials say the strategy combines intelligence gathering, aerial surveillance, and coordinated joint-force operations to disrupt insurgent movements and logistics supply chains.
According to the NAF, the latest strikes created fear and confusion among terrorist fighters within the Sambisa axis, further destabilising their operational activities. Air Commodore Ejodame explained that sustained offensives are forcing insurgent groups into increasingly reactive positions.
Military authorities also reaffirmed that operations would continue alongside ground offensives coordinated with troops under Operation Hadin Kai and other security agencies. The Nigerian Air Force said its objective remains the restoration of lasting peace and security across the North-East region.
Sambisa Forest has remained one of the most significant operational territories linked to Boko Haram and other insurgent factions over the years. The dense forest environment has historically served as a logistics and coordination base for terrorist groups operating across parts of Borno State and the Lake Chad region.
Recent military operations have increasingly focused on dismantling fortified structures, weapons storage facilities, and transportation networks hidden within the forest. Analysts note that aerial operations play a major role in disrupting insurgent mobility and reducing the capacity for coordinated attacks.
The latest Sambisa airstrikes follow earlier operations in the Yuwe axis and Southern Tumbuns, where military authorities also reported the destruction of terrorist hideouts and logistics facilities.
Security experts say continued pressure on insurgent strongholds could reduce the frequency of attacks on civilian communities and military formations across the North-East. However, analysts also caution that terrorist groups often adapt by dispersing into smaller cells and remote settlements.
The operation reflects ongoing efforts by Nigerian security forces to strengthen intelligence-led warfare against insurgency threats. Improved aerial surveillance capabilities and coordinated military operations have become central to counterterrorism strategy in the region.
The Sambisa airstrikes also highlight the increasing reliance on precision targeting to limit collateral damage while neutralising insurgent infrastructure. Military officials stated that operations are conducted in line with established engagement protocols designed to protect civilian populations.
