Nigerian Air Force (NAF) airstrikes have killed 40 terrorists in multiple operations in Niger, Zamfara and Kaduna States, Northcentral and Northwest Nigeria.
Sources said that the airstrikes were part of the operations under the the air component of Operation Hadarin Daji.
A source hinted that while 17 terrorists were killed near the Canoe Loading Point near Shiroro Lake, Niger State, another batch of 23 were eliminated at Kofar Danya area of Zamfara State.
In addition, similar airstrikes were undertaken against terrorists’ enclaves around Ukambo in Northwest Kaduna.
According to the source, “the airstrike operations were part of the continued effort towards eliminating terrorists and other criminal elements from the Northwest and Northcentral parts of the Country. And the air component of Operation Hadarin Daji has been on top of its game as it recorded another series of successes by eliminating terrorists in airstrikes on terrorists’ enclaves and hideouts in Niger, Zamfara and Kaduna States.
“In Niger State, 5 motorcycles conveying 13 suspected terrorists were trailed from Kusasu to a Canoe Loading Point near Shiroro Lake. A few persons were seen waiting at this Canoe Boarding Point just as other canoes were observed to be arriving and disembarking passengers some of whom were armed. Some of the motorcycles later conveyed some of the passengers to different places. Having established reasonable doubt that these were terrorists and their cohorts, air strikes were authourised leading to the elimination of over 17 terrorists and destructions of several motorcycles and canoes.
“Sequel to credible intelligence of mass movement of terrorist with over 200 rustled cattle at Kofar Danya area of Zamfara, a NAF aircraft was immediately scrambled. On arrival, the crew sighted terrorists on motorcycles in large numbers burning villages and rustling cattle. Subsequently, the aircraft immediately engaged the terrorists with rockets. The strike was a huge success as locals on ground reported over 23 terrorists were neutralized while many sustained various degrees of injuries.”