From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said its Air Components of Operations Hadin Kai and Whirl Punch in the North East and North Central have killed scores of terrorists in airstrikes conducted in Borno and Niger states.
NAF Director, Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, who made the disclosure, said the air components had continued to obliterate terrorists and destroy their structures, equipment and mobility, thus, limiting their ability to attack ground troops and innocent Nigerians like they used to.
Gabkwet, in a statement, said: “At Chinene, a location tucked inside the Mandara mountain area, terrorists were, on May 3, 2024, observed to be emanating from various locations and assembling, probably for a meeting. Within the same location, seven-gun trucks were also observed parked under trees.
“Accordingly, air interdiction was authorised and conducted over the assembly area and tree coverings to decimate the terrorists and destroy their weapons and mobility.
After the strike, battle damage assessment footage as feedback received later revealed that the strikes were successful as several terrorists were neutralised and logistics destroyed.
“Similar airstrikes were conducted the same day, May 3, 2024, when the air component of Operation Whirl Punch conducted pre-emptive air strikes over terrorists hibernating in Allawa village, near Shiroro in Niger State.
The mission was conducted following credible intelligence, which had revealed the migration of terrorists into the village after the mass exit of locals for fear of their safety.
These terrorists had, on May 1, 2024, stormed the deserted Allawa community in Shiroro Local Government Area (LGA) and torched the Central Primary School. In the evening of the same day, another group of terrorists also arrived at the location, wielding AK-47/49 rifles after invading Galapai village in Galadima Kogo District of the same LGA.
“Accordingly, to prevent further occupation as well as pursue the terrorists from the location, the air component scrambled a formation of its platforms to attack the location. On arrival at the location, several terrorists were sighted and engaged effectively.
Furthermore, following credible intelligence as well as detailed aerial observation, which confirmed the presence of their cache of arms hidden inside Allawa Forest, the air component further carried out air strikes at the location.
“Air strikes were also carried out North of Arugbana and Temakiri in the Niger Delta, where illegal refining sites were observed and destroyed. Through this action, the capabilities of oil thieves to continually sabotage and destroy oil pipelines were minimised.”