As the effort to rid the North East of the Country of all terrorist elements intensifies, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), through the Air Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, has launched subsidiary Operation HAIL STORM. The Operation, which commenced on 15 August 2020, is aimed at destroying identified Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram Terrorists’ (BHTs’) targets in the Lake Chad and Sambisa Forest areas of Borno State in order to restore lasting peace to affected communities in the North East.

Through effective planning as well as the dedication of its pilots, engineers, technicians and support elements, the Air Task Force has so far conducted series of day and night attacks, destroying several terrorists’ targets and neutralizing scores of their fighters. The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, while in Maiduguri from 18 - 20 August 2020 on operational visit to assess the conduct of the operation, commended the NAF personnel for their commitment and bravery. He urged them to sustain the momentum of operations while working closely with the ground forces to make the area untenable for the insurgents so that law-abiding citizens can return to their homes/farms and pursue their legitimate aspirations without fear.