The Nigerian Air Force has reported killing 592 armed militia members in Borno State over the past eight months, as part of an intensified air campaign against insurgent groups in the northeast region.
Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, revealed the figures during a visit to Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum on Tuesday. He stated that the 2025 military gains have already surpassed the operational successes recorded in 2024.
“This year, our air war is faster, sharper, and more surgical,” Abubakar said. “We are taking out high-value targets, crippling logistics networks, and dismantling cells that threaten peace in the northeast.”
As part of the ongoing offensive, the air force has also destroyed more than 200 technical vehicles and 166 logistics hubs believed to support militant operations.
The northeast has been plagued by violence for over a decade, driven primarily by Boko Haram and its breakaway faction, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). These groups have launched repeated attacks on both civilians and security personnel, displacing millions and causing thousands of deaths.
According to Nigeria Watch, a conflict-tracking organization, militia groups have been responsible for the deaths of at least 2,000 people in Borno State since 2023.
Despite the military’s optimistic outlook, independent analysts have raised concerns about the true effectiveness of the campaign.
“The military’s claim of success pales in comparison to gains and attacks by leading Boko Haram factions, especially since ISWAP intensified its offensive in late 2024,” said Confidence MacHarry, Senior Analyst at Lagos-based SBM Intelligence.
While the government continues to tout progress in its fight against insurgency, the humanitarian and security challenges in the region remain significant.
