Nigerian Air Force (NAF) airstrikes have killed several terrorists loyal to the notorious terrorists’ kingpin Alhaji Nashama’s enclave in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara State.
The airstrikes were undertaken by the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) and was carried out on Monday July 24, 2023.
Sources confirmed that the “strikes were carried out on the heels of credible and actionable intelligence reports that the terrorists were massing up at Tsamre in Birnin Magaji LGA with the aim of attacking locals and rustling cattle.
“Accordingly, the Air Component of OPHD struck the location in successive passes, eliminating scores of terrorists as well as destroying their structures and enclave.”
The source also confirmed that similar airstrikes were conducted on terrorists’ enclaves at Hanawanka in Shiroro LGA and Palele, a village on the borders of Shiroro and Munya LGAs of Niger State.
“This became necessary after intelligence had revealed a migration of terrorists from Katsina and Zamfara State who had come under intense heat from military onslaughts,” he said.
And in the Northeast, the source noted that “airstrikes were also conducted by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai on 25 July 2023 at a terrorists’ hideout located about 1.5Km East of Arra in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
“Arra was once a well-known terrorists’ hideout near Sambisa Forest that was cleared of terrorists by the Land Component of Operation Hadin Kai.
“The intelligence-driven strikes followed days and weeks of careful observation of the location which had revealed suspected terrorists armed with various firearms who used the covers of trees and other vegetations to hide their motorcycles and trucks to evade detection.
“The aftermath of the air strikes revealed several terrorists neutralized and their weapons, equipment and structures destroyed.”
According to the source: “Airstrikes by Air Components of the various joint operating theatres have recently been ramped up to deny terrorists, militants and other criminal elements freedom of action.
“The directive to all component commanders is to ensure they keep these terrorists on their toes and ensure they and their supporters are on the run until they surrender.
“The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Hasan Abubakar has expressed delight with the heightened level of morale and commitment among NAF pilots and other support staff while also encouraging them to maintain the momentum.”
