Following an airstrike conducted by Air and land Components of Operation Hadin Kai on 20 December 2022 at Mantari in Gezuwa area of Bama Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State, it has now been confirmed that several terrorists including Khaids Abbah Tukur, Maimusari, Bakura Jega and several others were eliminated in the strike.
The killing of the terrorists’ kingpins came as Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, arrived Maiduguri earlier today, 25 December 2022 to celebrate the yuletide with frontline troops.
Sources confirmed that the airstrikes by NAF aircraft was authourized after it was revealed that a Boko Haram terrorist commander simply known as Ikirima had stationed his fighters and gun trucks at Mantari village, alongside other terrorists from other locations who had converged at the same location on motorcycles and bicycles.
Subsequently, the authorization for an air strike was given leading to the elimination of several terrorists and structures in the area. After the first wave of strikes, some surviving terrorists found their way back to the same location to evacuate the bodies of terrorists neutralized in the air strike.
This thus provided an opportunity for a follow-up strike on the same location which has been confirmed very successful as over 200 terrorists were neutralized with dozens said to be in critical condition
Another source also confirmed that ISWAP and Boko Haram elements had perfected plans to resume active hostilities in the wake of the yuletide and forthcoming general elections. The timely intelligence received on their plans especially their attempt to attack soft targets in Bama LGA thus helped in the successful air strike which has reduced their will to regroup and attack innocent citizens.
The source further noted that the progress being made especially by the air and ground troops has greatly contained an upsurge of terrorists’ campaigns within the Northeast zone in recent times. He however cautioned that the need to remain focused on the end state remains very important.
Meanwhile the COAS and CAS have both commended the efforts of the air and ground troops as well as other security agencies under Operation Hadin Kai for the tremendous achievement being recorded in the theatre.
According to them, there has been a lot of improvement in the security situation in the Region due to the ongoing operation and urged the troops to continue to give in their best towards ensuring that the Region is completely rid of all terrorists.
Both Service Chiefs paid special tribute to those that paid the supreme sacrifice in the fight against terrorism and insurgency while also praising the commitment and uncommon sacrifices of the troops as peace gradually returns to Borno State.
While wishing them a Merry Christmas, the Service Chiefs both extended the appreciation of President Muhammadu Buhari and indeed all Nigerians to the troops for their sacrifices and efforts.
The yuletide lunch between the Service Chiefs and troops has become a periodic routine aimed at enhancing camaraderie among troops and boosting moral.
Present at the event was the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Umar Kadafur who represented the Governor of Birno, District Head of Damboa and representatives of Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and others.