Nigeria’s Air Force has launched another major operation in the Sambisa Forest, killing more than 15 militants in a precision strike. The assault, carried out after surveillance confirmed insurgent movements, is the latest in a series of intensified raids aimed at degrading Boko Haram and ISWAP networks in Borno State.

Strategic Location and Targeted Strike

Sambisa Forest, about 60 km southeast of Maiduguri, has long served as a base for Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters. Its dense terrain makes ground offensives challenging, giving insurgents cover for regrouping and launching attacks. The September 3 airstrike hit a cluster of hideouts, killing over 15 militants and destroying supply depots, according to military officials.

Intensified Aerial Campaign in Borno

The Nigerian Air Force has escalated its operations in Borno, reporting nearly 600 insurgents killed in the last eight months through air raids and precision strikes. Commanders highlighted the destruction of more than 200 vehicles and over 160 logistics bases during this period, describing the campaign as essential to weakening insurgent structures.

Insurgency Background in Sambisa

Boko Haram has used Sambisa Forest as a refuge since the early 2010s, launching attacks and hiding captives there. After Boko Haram split, ISWAP consolidated control over parts of the forest, particularly following clashes between the factions. The area remains symbolic of the insurgency’s resilience despite years of military offensives.

Regional Security and Humanitarian Impact

While airstrikes have degraded insurgent capabilities, analysts caution that militants often disperse and regroup in rural communities after such attacks. Humanitarian organizations warn that continued offensives contribute to displacement, with more than 2 million people already uprooted in the Lake Chad basin. Without stronger governance and development, experts say, the cycle of violence risks continuing.