Military airstrikes kill terrorists, destroy armouries in Borno
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai killed several terrorists in operations conducted between January 2 and 6 in different areas of Borno State.
During the operations conducted near Sambisa Forest, terrorists were said to be moving objects suspected to be arms and ammunition to the area.
A statement on Sunday by the Nigerian Air Force Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, stated that the terrorists and their weapons were subsequently bombed.
Gabkwet noted that a total of 12 terrorists were killed during the operation.
The statement partly read, “On January 5, 2024, at Parisu after terrorists were, for days, observed moving items suspected to be weapons and ammunition to the area, Parisu is a location near Sambisa Forest and was once a terrorist enclave deserted after troops cleared the area of terrorists’ activities.
“However, the convergence of terrorists within the location raised suspicion of their intent and plan, hence the directive to strike the location. The aftermath of the strikes led to a huge ball of flames from two adjacent spots within the vicinity, while some surviving terrorists were observed scampering for safety.
“Feedback also revealed that 12 terrorists were neutralized in the strike and their logistics destroyed, thereby degrading their ability to attack soft targets and their own troops.”
Gabkwet also noted that following an intelligence report, the troops conducted an operation in the Lake Chad region, which led to the death’s of some terrorists and the destruction of their vehicles and motorcycles.
“Similar strikes were also carried out at a location about 1.5Km Southwest of Tumbun Agiri within the Tumbuns in the Lake Chad region on January 6, 2024. Intelligence gathered over time had revealed the continuous gathering of armed terrorists in pick-up vehicles and motorcycles, hence the go-ahead to attack the location.
“The precision strikes on the location led to the destruction of vehicles and motorcycles as well as the elimination of several terrorists,” the statement added.
On January 2, Gbakwet noted that the air component of Operation Hadin Kai struck some targets at Tumbun Alura in Borno.
He said, ”The targets, which consisted of three canoes, were observed loaded with suspected Premium Motor Spirit. They were subsequently engaged, with a huge explosion observed afterward.
“Similar successful strikes were also conducted at Tumbun Buwari and Sabon Tumbun on terrorist structures within the Lake Chad region.”
By Solomon Odeniyi
The PUNCH journalist, Solomon Odeniyi, has five years experience covering crime, judiciary and defence beats.
