Nigerian Air Force (NAF) precision-guided airstrikes coordinated by the Air Component and the ground troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) on Monday November 6, 2023, eliminated scores of Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP) Terrorists in Mobbar Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State, North East Nigeria.
Earlier, precision airstrikes by the Air Component of OPHK had on November 3, 2023 also led to the elimination of several terrorists at their meeting point near Degbawa, a reclusive location within the Mandara Mountains in Goza Local Government Area of Borno State.
Sources confirmed that the successful airstrikes in Mobbar LGA Monday followed intelligence reports which indicated a very large influx of ISWAP Terrorists into Nigeria along the Nigeria-Niger Republic border, along the Komadugu-Yobe River.
Terrorists, comprising both local and foreign fighters, have been causing lots of havoc in communities along the borderline.
A source noted that following the intelligence reports on the movement of the terrorists, they were trailed to a remote location around Asagar where they were joined by other terrorists in what seemed like a convergence for a prepared attack.
The source stated that with confirmation by both air and ground assets, the terrorists were subsequently targeted and the NAF platform were acquired and airstrikes delivered with aggressive bombardments, leading to the obliteration of large numbers of the terrorists.
A ground assessment by sources revealed that a number of ISWAP unit commanders and high value fighters were eliminated, while many more were seriously injured.
With the airstrikes being the fourth major successful offensive against ISWAP and Boko Haram positions in the North East within the last seven days, military sources noted that this has forced ISWAP/Boko Haram to adopt new tactics for survival.
The new tactics includes going for their attacks on foots as they stopped the use of hilux trucks and spreading their men in very small units and spatial locations to avoid heavy casualties when targeted by airstrikes and artillery shelling.
The terrorist groups have also focused more of their attacks on vulnerable, local farmers communities who lacked a strong security presence.