By Augustine Ehikioya
Towards eliminating remnants of terrorists in the North East of Nigeria, the air and ground components of Operation HADIN KAI are said to have continued to record series of successes.
In this direction, the air component of the operation is said to have eliminated terrorists in Parisu, Tumbun Agiri and Tumbun Alura areas of Borno State in the first week of January, 2024.
This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal, Edward Gabkwet, and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA).
It said “One of such successful operations occurred on 5 January, 2024 at Parisu after terrorists were, for days, observed moving items suspected to be weapons and ammunitions to the area.
“Parisu, a location near Sambisa Forest, was once a terrorist enclave deserted after own troops had cleared the area of terrorists’ activities. However, the convergence of terrorists within the location raised suspicion of their intent and plan, hence the directive to strike the location.
“The aftermath of the strikes led to a huge ball of flames from 2 adjacent spots within the vicinity, while some surviving terrorists were observed scampering for safety.
“Feedback also revealed that 12 terrorists were neutralized in the strike, and their logistics destroyed, thereby degrading their ability to attack soft targets and own troops, it stated.
Speaking on another attack, the statement added “Similar strikes were also carried out at a location about 1.5Km Southwest of Tumbun Agiri within the Tumbuns in the Lake Chad region on 6 January, 2024.
“Intelligence gathered over time had revealed the continuous gathering of armed terrorists in pick-up vehicles and motorcycles, hence the go-ahead to attack the location.
“The precision strikes on the location led to the destruction of the vehicles, motorcycles as well as elimination of several terrorists.”
On other attacks, it said “Prior to the aforementioned strikes, the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI, on an air reconnaissance mission on 2 January, 2024, had struck some opportunity targets at Tumbun Alura.
“The targets, which consisted of 3 canoes, were observed loaded with suspected Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). They were subsequently engaged with a huge explosion observed afterward.
“Similar successful strikes were also conducted at Tumbun Buwari and Sabon Tumbun on terrorist structures within the Lake Chad region.”
Nigeria, Nigerian Air Force, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, Operation HADIN KAI, Borno State, News
