Nigerian Military Reports Significant Jihadist Casualties in Airstrikes

Wed Oct 22 2025 19:28:03 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

**Nigerian Military Reports Significant Jihadist Casualties in Airstrikes**

Air raids kill 35 militants as Nigeria's security situation remains critical.

**The Nigerian military has confirmed the deaths of 35 jihadists in recent airstrikes aimed at quelling ongoing violence in the northeastern region. The strikes come amid heightened concerns over widespread conflict and a call for a government task force to address security challenges.**

In a recent statement, Nigeria’s military announced that it had successfully eliminated 35 jihadists in a series of airstrikes conducted near the country's northeastern border with Cameroon. These military operations focused on multiple locations, aiming to preempt an impending attack on ground forces.

For over ten years, Nigeria has been embroiled in a brutal struggle against jihadist factions, including the notorious Boko Haram and its splinter group Islamic State West Africa Province (Iswap), as well as rampant criminal gangs and kidnappings. On Saturday, a coalition of prominent Nigerians, which included former government officials, business leaders, and civil society representatives, articulated grave concerns about the unstable security climate, equating conditions in some regions to "war-time levels of slaughter," despite the government declaring an official state of peace.

The group referenced a distressing report from Amnesty International, highlighting that more than 10,200 individuals have lost their lives since President Bola Tinubu took office two years ago. They urged the establishment of a Presidential Task Force with significant authority to address the rising tide of violence and restore safety. Last week, the military announced it had killed nearly 600 militants in the northeast over an eight-month span, although independent verification of such claims remains lacking.

The Nigerian Air Force stated its commitment to ongoing air support for ground troops focused on dismantling jihadist strongholds in the region. According to United Nations estimates, over 35,000 lives have been lost, with two million people displaced due to the ongoing conflict. The Institute for Security Studies reported at least 15 jihadist attacks this year in areas adjacent to Nigeria's borders with Cameroon and Niger.

Among the tactics employed by these jihadist groups is the use of modified commercial drones for assaults on military bases, significantly complicating the logistics of troop reinforcements. In response to the escalating situation, earlier this month, the U.S. State Department approved a substantial arms sale worth $346 million to Nigeria, aiming to bolster its defense capabilities in the battle against insurgency.

For further updates on Nigeria and related topics, stay tuned to BBC Africa's social media channels for a comprehensive overview of the ongoing struggles affecting the region.