NAF Destroys IED Factory, Terrorist Gun Trucks in Devastating Airstrike on Tumbuktu Triangle
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), as part of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), has delivered a decisive blow against insurgents in Borno State. In a major tactical success, NAF air assets carried out a precision airstrike that destroyed an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) factory, several terrorist gun trucks, and neutralized dozens of insurgents in Kwaltiri, located within the notorious Tumbuktu Triangle — a key hotspot for terrorist activities.
The successful operation was conducted on June 18, 2025, following actionable intelligence that revealed a surge in terrorist activity in the area. Surveillance missions confirmed the presence of an operational IED production facility and several armed vehicles, prompting the coordinated air offensive.
NAF aircraft engaged multiple targets during the mission, executing accurate strikes that inflicted severe damage on the terrorists’ infrastructure. According to an official statement, the air raid significantly disrupted the militants’ command and control structures as well as their logistics networks. The destruction of the IED factory dealt a blow to the group’s bomb-making capacity, further weakening its ability to launch attacks.
“The successful strikes not only disrupted their command and control as well as logistics chains but also sent shockwaves through their ranks, significantly degrading their morale and operational momentum,” the NAF said in its release.
Security experts have praised the Nigerian military for the successful execution of this mission, describing it as a vital step in curbing terrorism in Nigeria’s North East region. The Tumbuktu Triangle has long served as a sanctuary for terrorist groups, making its neutralization a key objective in the ongoing counter-insurgency campaign.
This latest offensive underscores the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to supporting national security operations and enhancing stability across the region. The mission is part of sustained efforts under Operation HADIN KAI to degrade terrorist capabilities and restore peace to communities affected by insurgency.
