Nigeria’s military has confirmed that 35 jihadists were killed in a series of air strikes launched near the country’s north-eastern border with Cameroon. According to the military, the strikes were carried out in four locations to stop an attempted assault on ground troops by insurgents.
The country has been battling jihadist groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) for more than a decade, alongside violent criminal gangs, sectarian clashes, and widespread kidnappings for ransom. Despite Nigeria officially being at peace, many regions continue to face deadly attacks. A coalition of prominent Nigerians, including ex-government ministers, business leaders, and civil society activists, recently raised an alarm, stating that some communities are experiencing “wartime levels of slaughter.”
Amnesty International reported in May that at least 10,217 people have been killed since President Bola Tinubu assumed office two years ago. The concerned group is now calling for the creation of a Presidential Task Force with sweeping powers to address the multiple conflicts tearing through the nation.
In the latest military update, the Nigerian Air Force said it will continue to provide air cover for ground operations aimed at dismantling jihadist strongholds in the north-east. Last week, the army claimed to have killed nearly 600 militants in the region over an eight-month period, though independent verification of these numbers has not been provided.
The United Nations estimates that more than 35,000 people have died and over two million displaced since the insurgency began more than a decade ago. The crisis has drawn international attention, with the US State Department recently approving the sale of $346 million (£256 million) worth of weapons to Nigeria to strengthen its fight against insurgency and insecurity.
Meanwhile, the Institute for Security Studies noted that jihadists have carried out at least 15 attacks this year near Nigeria’s borders with Cameroon and Niger, often using modified commercial drones to target army bases and obstruct reinforcements.
The military also confirmed that it has carried out fresh strikes against “bandits” a term used for armed criminal gangs in Katsina State, north-west Nigeria. This operation resulted in the rescue of 76 kidnapping victims, including women and children. However, one child reportedly died during the rescue efforts, according to Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security, Nasir Mua’zu.
The rescue mission came after gunmen stormed the village of Unguwan Mantau in Katsina, opening fire on worshippers inside a mosque and attacking nearby homes. Officials confirmed that at least 50 people were killed in the assault, while about 60 others were abducted. Some of those hostages were among the rescued victims.
Katsina and neighboring Zamfara State remain the epicenters of deadly banditry in north-west Nigeria, which has led to massive displacement and devastating loss of life. As Nigeria’s military intensifies operations against both jihadists and criminal gangs, the pressure mounts on the government to restore security and stability across the country.
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