NAF Destroys Terrorist Stronghold in Katsina, Eliminates Fighters
The Nigerian Air Force has intensified its counter-terrorism operations in north-west Nigeria, destroying a key hideout linked to notorious kingpin Abasu Aiki in Katsina State.
The strike, carried out on May 1, 2026, by the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA Sector 2, targeted a terrorist enclave in the Dan-Aji Forest within Faskari Local Government Area. Military authorities said the operation followed sustained intelligence indicating renewed militant activity in the area.
According to the Air Force, the location functioned as a logistics base and transit hub for fighters loyal to Abasu Aiki, who has been associated with repeated attacks on communities and security personnel across Faskari, Kankara, and Funtua areas.
Air surveillance reportedly identified armed militants on motorcycles and other operatives within the enclave before a coordinated precision strike was executed against both personnel and infrastructure.
A post-strike Battle Damage Assessment indicated that several fighters were neutralised, while the logistics hub and supporting structures were destroyed. The bombardment triggered secondary explosions and extensive fires, suggesting the presence of stored supplies and ammunition.
Military officials said the operation has significantly disrupted terrorist mobility and resupply routes in the region. They added that the strike reflects ongoing efforts by the Air Force to dismantle militant networks, eliminate safe havens, and support broader security operations aimed at restoring stability in the North-West.
The development comes amid sustained security operations targeting armed groups across Nigeria’s north-western corridor.
By TimesNG