The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced that at least 35 fighters were killed in a series of air strikes near the border with Cameroon, following intelligence that an attack on ground forces was being prepared.

NAF spokesperson Ehimen Ejodame said the strikes were carried out on Saturday against four targets in the Kumshe area of Borno State, a region long plagued by armed groups. 

“Following the operation, communication was re-established with ground troops, who confirmed that the situation around their location had been stabilised,” Ejodame said.

The strikes are the latest in Nigeria’s military campaign against escalating violence in the northeast, where Boko Haram and its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), have intensified attacks. 

Both groups have overrun military bases in recent months, killing soldiers and seizing weapons in northeastern Nigeria, which borders Cameroon, Chad, and Niger.

Although the conflict, now in its 16th year, has eased since its peak in 2015, attacks have surged again since the start of the year. According to the United Nations, the violence has killed more than 35,000 civilians and displaced over two million people.

The announcement comes just days after the US State Department approved the potential sale of $346 million worth of weapons to Nigeria, including bombs, rockets, and other munitions, pending congressional approval. 

Washington said the deal would strengthen Nigeria’s ability to confront “current and future threats” from armed groups.

SMS/