The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has taken advantage of the migration of terrorists in the Tumbun areas of Borno State due to flooding and swampy terrain in their hideouts to successfully eliminate dozens of them.
A statement by NAF Spokesperson, AVM Edward Gabkwet, “the excess rainfall and swampy terrain may have inadvertently pushed the terrorists out of hiding” as they search for higher and drier ground, making them exposed to air interdiction missions.
AVM Gabkwet noted that the airstrike, conducted by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, targeted “several terrorists with some of their salvaged belongings tucked within four makeshift accommodations, some concealed under trees and thick vegetation.”
The full statement reads: “In a major blow to remnants of terrorists hiding in the Tumbuns near Lake Chad, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai successfully conducted an air interdiction mission at Jubillaram, in southern Tumbuns.
“The operation was made possible following the forced migration of remnant terrorists to higher and drier grounds after their enclaves became flooded and exposed due to persistent rainfall in the area in recent days. To confirm this, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) conducted Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions over the location on 22, 24, and 26 August 2024, which revealed several terrorists with some of their salvaged belongings tucked within four makeshift accommodations, some concealed under trees and thick vegetation.
“Consequently, precision airstrikes were authorized on the selected target areas, engaging and destroying most of the structures. A thick black smoke from one of the destroyed structures signified a storage area, probably designated as an armoury or a logistics storage area. Several terrorists were also neutralized in the process.
“The success of this operation is a testament to the NAF’s commitment to achieving its mandate and protecting the nation from terrorist threats. The excess rainfall and swampy terrain may have inadvertently pushed the terrorists out of hiding, but it was the swift and decisive action of the NAF that took advantage of the situation to strike a significant blow against them.
“It is also important to note that striking at the heart of terrorists’ enclaves in Maiduguri goes a long way in destabilizing their Center of Gravity and diminishing their capacity to cause mayhem, especially on civilian targets. These enclaves also serve as feeders to other terrorist cells operating within the region.
“Recall also that barely 3 days ago, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, instructed all Air Component Commanders to intensify operations against terrorists and other criminal elements in the country. The strike at Jubillaram and other locations across the country are confirmations that the directives are yielding the required outcome.”