Nigeria Air Force conducted precision airstrikes have eliminated scores of boko haram terrorists and Islamic State West Africa Province fighters killed in Borno State.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said the terrorists were killed during an early morning air strike by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai at Suwa in Kala Balge local government area (LGA) of Borno State on 11 September 2023.
Suwa was hitherto a stronghold of Boko Haram Terrorists in Gezuwa general area near Sambisa Forest until its dislodgement by the military and other security agencies.
The statement said recent intelligence, however, revealed the massing up of terrorists within the area with likely plans to attack troops on patrol along major routes to Bama and Mafa LGA.
The statement said further intelligence also revealed that the same group of terrorists had perfected plans to attack troops stationed around Rann in Kalabalge LGA.
Therefore, the “air strikes were authorized with confirmatory assessments revealing several terrorists neutralised and structures destroyed thereby degrading their ability to attack friendly forces and innocent law abiding civilians”.
The NAF spokesman stated that the efforts of the entire security agencies operating in the Northeast has, to a large extend, yielded the requisite outcome, though a lot still needs to be done.
He called on Nigerians to support the military to sustain the momentum to clear the Region of all criminal elements.
The directive of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, tasked Air Component Commanders in all joint operating theatres, to “Stop at nothing in going after these criminals and ensure they are brought to justice. The era of treating them with kids’ gloves is long over”.