NAF Airstrikes Destroy Terrorist Hideout In Katsina

The Nigerian Air Force has conducted a precision airstrike on a terrorist enclave in Katsina, destroying a key hideout and neutralising several fighters.
This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.
The operation, which was carried out on May 1, was conducted under the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma, to a location within the Dan-Aji Forest in Faskari Local Government Area, Ejodame said.
The target, he said, is a known logistics hub connected to a terrorist kingpin, Abasu Aiki and his fighters operating across the Faskari, Kankara and Funtua axis.
“Intelligence reports indicated the revival of terrorist activities in the area and that led to the strike.”
“NAF air assets identified armed terrorists on motorcycles and other fighters within the enclave and simultaneously struck the location.
“The battle damage assessment confirmed several terrorists were neutralised and the logistics hub and associated structures were destroyed,” he said.
Ejodame said the strike caused explosions and widespread fires that further degraded the group’s operational capacity.
He said the operation had badly disrupted terrorist movement and re-supply in the area.
He said the development underscores the NAF’s determination to deny terrorists safe havens and disrupt their operational networks.
However, four people have reportedly been killed in a fresh attack on Aila Odugheho in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State by suspected armed herders.
The incident occurred Sunday morning while the victims were walking along the Aila Odugheho road to a nearby village, a local source said.
“The suspected herders ambushed the victims on their way to the community,” a resident who gave his name as Danny Uloko told journalists in a telephone interview.
The Fulani herders ambushed and killed the victims while they were on their way to a nearby community along Aila Odugheho road, Uloko added.
The names of the deceased, he said, were Ochefije Elijah Ojema, Igojuju Husaini, Odiya Ochowehi and Ochoyoda Adejo.
The Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area, Melvin Ejeh, confirmed the attack, saying four people were killed.
Ejeh said armed herders have resorted to ambush tactics because security operatives are in the area and it has become difficult for them to invade some of the communities.
“The incident did take place today (Sunday morning), it is true. We lost four of our people.
“The security strategies we have put in place in the communities are robust now, making it difficult to attack and overrun any community in Agatu Local Government Area.
“So they have gone for ambush which is more difficult to deal with. However, operations to clear the community forest of bandits are ongoing,” he said.
Ejeh also said that security agencies including the Divisional Police Officer and local vigilantes were already in the area carrying out clearance operations.
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, said she had not received any report, adding that efforts to reach the Agatu Divisional Police Officer had been unsuccessful.
“I have not been able to get the DPO of Agatu on phone, so I’m yet to get the report,” she said.