Counter-Terror Operation: Nigerian Air Force Hits Militants Along Cameroon Border

International News:The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has claimed responsibility for a major operation near the Cameroon border, where more than 35 jihadist fighters were killed in an air strike. According to military officials, the assault was carried out after intelligence revealed that militants belonging to Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) were preparing to launch attacks on soldiers stationed in the region.

The NAF explained that the mission was based on detailed information collected from multiple sources. With the help of this intelligence, fighter jets targeted four different gathering points where armed groups had assembled. The precision strikes resulted in heavy casualties among the militants. Ground forces who later inspected the area confirmed the success of the strike, reporting that the situation around their camps had become stable. Independent sources, however, have not yet been able to verify the military’s claims.

Extremism in Nigeria’s Northeast

For years, northeastern Nigeria has been under constant threat from extremist groups. The region shares borders with Cameroon, Chad, and Niger, making it vulnerable to cross-border movements of armed groups. Boko Haram, active since 2009, and ISWAP, its breakaway faction, remain two of the most dangerous groups operating in this part of Africa. In recent months, both groups have intensified their campaigns against military bases and rural communities, leaving civilians in fear and disrupting normal life.

Increased Military Operations

Officials say that Nigeria’s armed forces have adopted a stronger approach in 2025. Military records show that more than 590 insurgents have already been killed this year, a rise compared to last year. The air force explained that such strikes are not only meant to protect ground soldiers but also to weaken the logistical networks of insurgents and block their supply corridors across the borders.

Security Challenges Beyond Insurgency

Nigeria’s troubles are not limited to jihadist violence. In the northwestern states, armed bandit groups regularly attack villages, kidnap people, and loot resources. This dual security challenge has made it difficult for the government to restore peace. Since the conflict began more than a decade ago, over 40,000 people have lost their lives, while nearly two million citizens have been displaced from their homes.

Cooperation With the United States

To strengthen its military capabilities, Nigeria recently signed a defense agreement with the United States worth $346 million. The deal includes the purchase of bombs, rockets, and other weapons, pending approval from the U.S. Congress. American officials have assured close cooperation with Nigeria but have also stressed that investigations must be carried out into any civilian casualties or human rights concerns arising from these operations.

Nigeria’s latest strike demonstrates its determination to fight extremism, but the country’s overlapping crises—terrorism in the northeast and banditry in the northwest—show that the path to lasting peace remains complex.