The Nigerian Air force (NAF) Monday said airstrikes carried out by the air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) against identified terrorists’ hideouts and enclaves in Borno state, killed 22 terrorists.
This was contained in a statement made available to journalists by NAF spokesperson Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet.
He said the airstrikes were carried sequel to intelligence received from Land Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) on 29 October 2023, that about 22 terrorists in a gun truck and 2 motorcycles were sighted near Marte.
“NAF aircraft of the Air Component of OPHK were immediately dispatched to interdict the location.
“After scanning the area, the terrorists were sighted at about 22 km west of Marte and moving northwards towards Munguno.
“After trailing the terrorists for about 70 minutes, the terrorists in the gun truck and 2 motorcycles stopped underneath a tree, probably to refuel or evade being seen.
” The targets were subsequently engaged with a huge ball of fire engulfing the area observed afterward, destroying the gun struck and motorcycles with no sign of movement observed afterward.
“The huge explosion could be indicative that the point where the terrorists hid was likely a logistics base or their vehicle was conveying weapons or explosive ordinances,’ he said.
According to him, the failed strategies adopted by terrorists to evade detection and the fire power of the Land and Air Components of Operation Hadin Kai by moving from one point to another is indicative of their inability to hold ground and pose significant threats to military formations or pick on soft civilian targets at will.
As recent as 28 October 2023, while fielding questions from State House correspondents, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno dtate noted that the security situation in Borno State has improved by more than 85 percent while economic activities have picked up.
This attests to the successes of the efforts emplaced by the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies.
According to the Governor, “As the Chief Security Officer of Borno State, we are doing well in terms of security as there has been serious improvement in our security situation and I want to commend the Service Chiefs for their efforts.”
