The Nigerian military killed over 30 terrorists in a coordinated air and ground operation at Dar-El-Jamal village, Bama LGA, Borno State, reinforcing efforts to secure the North-East and protect vulnerable communities.
The Nigerian Armed Forces have recorded another major breakthrough in the fight against insurgency, as no fewer than 30 terrorists were killed during a combined air and ground offensive in Borno State.
The operation was executed on Friday, September 5, at Dar-El-Jamal village, situated in the Bama Local Government Area, one of the hotbeds of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) activities.
The successful mission was confirmed in a statement released on Saturday, September 6, by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.
He explained that the operation was prompted by urgent intelligence reports of a heavy terrorist onslaught against military positions in the area.
According to him, once the distress information was received, the NAF quickly mobilised both Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets and Air Interdiction (AI) missions to the battle zone.
These operations were carefully coordinated with ground troops to ensure maximum impact and safety for friendly forces.
“En route, the aircrew established contact with our ground forces in Banki, who confirmed that reinforcements were already moving to strengthen the position of troops under attack,” Ejodame explained.
“On reaching Dar-El-Jamal, the aircrew first identified friendly forces in the village before ISR scans picked up groups of terrorists retreating northwards into the surrounding bushes.
“In a series of three well-coordinated and precise strikes, the insurgents were engaged and neutralised. The strikes resulted in the elimination of over 30 terrorists who were attempting to flee.”
He added that the timely arrival of reinforcement units on the ground further stabilised the situation, secured the village, and prevented terrorists from regrouping or launching retaliatory attacks.
Military analysts have described the latest success as another indication of improved coordination between Nigeria’s ground forces and air power.
Ejodame himself stressed this point, saying, “This operation reflects the seamless synergy between the Air Force and the Army, proving that joint efforts are crucial in the ongoing counterterrorism campaign.”
The Air Force spokesman emphasised that the victory goes beyond the immediate tactical gain of neutralising insurgents.
It also reinforces the Nigerian Armed Forces’ broader commitment to completely dismantle terrorist networks, shield innocent civilians from attacks, and restore sustainable peace and normalcy to Borno State, the wider North-East region, and other parts of the country affected by insecurity.
Security experts believe that such well-coordinated offensives are critical in breaking the will of insurgent groups that continue to target both military formations and vulnerable communities.
The Nigerian military, in recent times, has intensified its use of precision airpower to complement ground operations, ensuring that terrorists have fewer safe havens to retreat to.
The Dar-El-Jamal operation, therefore, stands as a significant morale booster for troops on the frontlines and a reassurance to Nigerians that the fight against terrorism is yielding results, despite the challenges that remain.