Troops of the Nigerian military attached to Operation Hadin Kai in the Northeast have neutralised more terrorists’ commanders and over 30 members wreaking havocs on innocent citizens in the Lake Chad region of Borno State.
It was learnt that the air component of the operation rained airstrikes on the adversaries following the terrorists’ refusal to surrender their weapon and ammunition to the military after a series of appeal by the authority and community leaders.
No fewer than 50 tough and hardened terrorists’ commanders have been taken out by the military across all the theatres of operations, particularly in the Northwest and Northeast in the last one year.
The military high command last month declared high-profiled terrorists’ commanders including Simon Ekpa, the notorious leader of proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, wanted over their nefarious activities.
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Daily Trust reports that the senior terrorists’ commanders, who were killed during the operation that was carried out on Saturday, included Ali Dawud, Bakura Fallujah and Mallam Ari.
The spokesman of the Nigerian Air Force, Edward Gabkwet, who confirmed this to journalists in Abuja, explained that terrorists’ numerous vehicles, motorcycles and logistical assets were destroyed.
Gabkwet, an Air Vice Marshal, said the air troops executed a precision airstrike on the hideouts of ISWAP terrorists nestled within Kolleram village along the shores of Lake Chad.
According to him, the operation yielded significant success as the Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) post-strike conducted revealed the neutralisation of over 30 terrorists apart from the commanders that were taken out.
“Intelligence gathered after the airstrike further indicated that the aerial bombardment effectively obliterated a key facility within the Kolleram enclave, which served as a hub for the terrorists’ food processing activities, including grinding machines.
“The success of these airstrikes underscores NAF’s commitment to eradicating terrorism and ensuring the safety and security of Nigerian citizens. By neutralising key terrorist figures and destroying their logistical infrastructure, the operation has significantly degraded the capabilities of the ISWAP group in the region.
“These airstrikes complement the ongoing efforts of ground forces in the Lake Chad flank and represent a crucial step forward in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria,” the senior military officer told newsmen.
