The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) claimed that multiple terrorists were killed when its aircraft struck two terror kingpin sites in the North East and North West as well as a terrorist gathering place.
However, according to a statement from Air Cdre Edward Gabkwet, head of communications and public relations, there was no proof that the terrorist kingpins had died in the attacks.
He said that airstrikes against terrorists have increased as a result of the air components of “Operation Hadarin Daji” (OPHD) in the Northwest and “Operation Hadin Kai” in Northeastern Nigeria.
According to the statement, rebels, terrorists, and other criminal elements operating in the two regions do not pose a serious threat to the security of innocent inhabitants because of the efforts of the air, land, and other security services.
He claimed that on November 1, 2023, in the Northwest, the Air Component of OPHD carried out a number of effective airstrikes in the Kankara local government area of Katsina State, targeting the lair of a well-known terrorist kingpin named Babaru.
Babaru has been connected to many incidents of banditry and terrorism in Kankara and surrounding Katsina State LGAs.
He said that on February 2, 2023, over a hundred people from the villages of Gidan Gari and Yarmai-Yadiya in Bakori LGA were massacred. This slaughter was carried out by the terror mastermind.
“There was no confirmation if Babaru was among those neutralized, but the airstrikes destroyed Babaru’s hideout and eliminated several terrorists,” he stated.
The director claims that the attacks were also conducted against Mai Solar’s enclave in Maru LGA, Zamfara State, which is home to terrorist kingpins.
“Clusters of enclaves utilized as hideouts by the kingpin and his allies in the site were destroyed by the airstrikes. Few survivors were seen leaving the strike site, indicating that it was a successful strike. If Mai Solar was one of the terrorists killed, it remains unknown.
Additionally, on November 3, 2023, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) carried out precise airstrikes that resulted in the killing of multiple terrorists at their meeting point near Degbawa, a remote area in the Mandara Mountains in the Goza local government area of Borno State. Air Force Strikes Two Terrorist Strongholds.
He added that information had shown that certain prominent terrorists and their foot troops had been spotted approaching the site for what was likely to be a meeting, and that this is why the airstrikes had been approved.
Because of the suspicions created by their big gathering, an air interdiction was required at the area, which had disastrous consequences for the terrorists. After the attack, an evaluation of the area showed that many terrorists had been destroyed.
Citing many local sources, he said that the terrorists had deliberately selected this specific site to avoid being readily discovered, particularly by NAF aircraft.
But once the terrorists’ evil plans to meet were discovered, the airstrike proved to be successful, proving the terrorists to be mistaken.
