Significant victory as Nigerian Air Force fighter jet strikes neutralise 40 insurgents and obliterate equipment, vehicles, water vessels and a suspected medical dispensary.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has “neutralised” five key insurgent commanders and 35 foot soldiers in the Arina area of Borno State.
Air Vice-Marshall Edward Gabkwet, the NAF’s director of public relations and information, described the airstrikes conducted by fighter jet pilots on Friday, August 16, as a “significant victory” against insurgent groups – the Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’way Wa’l-Jihād (JAS), more commonly referred to as Boko Haram, and the Islamic State West Africa Province – in the Nigeria’s northeast region.
In a statement released on Wednesday, August 21, Gabkwet said the five key insurgent commanders and 35 foot soldiers were killed at Southern Tumbuns.
The commanders were identified as Munzir Arika, Sani Dilla (also known as Dan Hausawan Jubillaram), Ameer Modu, Dan Fulani Fari Fari and Bakoura Arina Chiki.
“In a decisive effort to further weaken the activities of remnant terrorists operating in the northeast, while also protecting innocent civilians and [our] own troops, the air component of Operation Hadin Kai has successfully executed an air interdiction mission on 16 August in Arina, Southern Tumbuns, Borno State,” Gabkwet said.
“Prior to the mission, intelligence had revealed the clandestine migration of terrorists into the area from neighboring locations.
“Confirmatory intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance missions were further conducted on 12 and 15 August, identifying numerous terrorists and active structures concealed under trees.
“Consequently, coordinated airstrikes were launched over the location and the targets successfully engaged, resulting in the neutralisation of several terrorists and the destruction of their structures.
“Credible intelligence further revealed that five key terrorist leaders were either killed or severely injured in the strike, along with more than 35 foot soldiers.”
Gabkwet said battle-damage assessment after the strikes revealed that several pieces of equipment, vehicles, water vessels and a suspected medical dispensary “were obliterated” in the airstrikes.
The operation had significantly degraded the operational capacity of the remaining insurgents in the region.
The Nigerian Air Force remained committed to supporting the efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies in safeguarding the region and ensuring peace and security prevailed, Gabkwet said.
SHETTIMA LAWAN MONGUNO
