Nigerian Air Force Kills 35 Jihadists Near Cameroon Border

The Nigerian Air Force has killed more than 35 jihadist militants in precision air strikes near the northeastern border with Cameroon, targeting four locations where militants had gathered following an attempted attack on ground troops. These operations are part of ongoing efforts to combat Boko Haram and its splinter group, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), both of which have intensified attacks, including overrunning military bases and killing soldiers. The conflict, which has lasted over 16 years, has resulted in the deaths of over 35,000 civilians and displaced more than two million people, according to the United Nations. Despite the Nigerian government's efforts under President Bola Tinubu, militant attacks have surged since early 2025, prompting the recent approval by the US State Department of a $346 million weapons sale to Nigeria to bolster its counterterrorism capabilities. Military officials reported that communication was restored with ground forces after the strikes, stabilizing the situation and disrupting terrorist logistics and movement corridors. The Nigerian military continues to face challenges from both jihadist insurgency in the northeast and armed gangs in other parts of the country.