The Nigerian military has intensified land and air offensives across the North following U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to deploy American troops to Nigeria over alleged killings of Christians.
Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform, accused the Tinubu administration of tolerating “Christian persecution” and directed the U.S. Department of War to prepare for “possible action.” He warned that Washington could suspend aid and might “go in guns blazing” to eliminate terrorists.
Meanwhile, rival insurgent factions—Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP)—clashed violently in Borno State’s Abadam area, leaving more than 50 ISWAP fighters dead. The confrontation reportedly began after ISWAP launched an assault to reclaim territory from Boko Haram in Toumbun Gini but walked into an ambush.
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai also rescued 86 civilians from a Boko Haram ambush in Dutse Kura, Borno, and arrested 29 suspected logistics suppliers transporting fuel, spare parts, and food to terrorists. Several weapons, vehicles, and makeshift camps were destroyed during the operation.
Additionally, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) conducted precision airstrikes on terrorist strongholds in Borno, Kwara, Katsina, and other states. Guided by real-time intelligence, the strikes destroyed ISWAP camps in Mallam Fatori and Shuwaram and neutralised several insurgents.
In Katsina, air raids hit Zango Hill—targeting a terrorist leader and his fighters—while reconnaissance missions covered Zamfara, Kebbi, and Kaduna, where fleeing militants were neutralised.
NAF spokesman Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet said the coordinated operations underscored the military’s ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks nationwide.
