The Nigeria Air Force has neutralised 12 terrorists and destroyed weapon storages during an airstrike at Parisu, Tumbun Gari and Tumbun Alura in Borno State.
NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
He said the operation was carried out on January 5, 2024, at Parisu after the terrorists were observed moving items suspected to be weapons and ammunitions to the area.
Gabkwet said the operation was part of ongoing efforts by the air and ground components of Operation Hadin Kai to clear the remnants of terrorists within the Northeast region which have continued to record series of successes.
He said, “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 statement said, “The aftermath of the strikes led to a huge ball of flames from two adjacent spots within the vicinity, while some surviving terrorists were observed scampering for safety”.
He said, “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.”
Gabkwet added that, “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.”
He said, “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.
According to the statement, “The precision strikes on the location led to the destruction of the vehicles, motorcycles as well as elimination of several terrorists.”
Gabkwet said, further that, “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.”
