A notorious terrorist and kidnap kingpin, popularly known as Janari, have been neutralised, alongside members of his syndicate in airstrikes by the air component of Operation WHIRL PUNCH of the Nigerian Airforce (NAF).
In a statement on Sunday, Edward Gabkwet NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, said Janari and his criminal gang met their end on Thursday, January 18, 2024.
According to Gabkwet, “Janari and his cohorts have been responsible for several attacks and abductions within Kaduna State and along the Abuja-Kaduna highway. “
He said the strikes were authorised after Janari and his gang were sighted at a location near Gadar Katako in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna state.
The statement said, intelligence surveillance revealed that the criminals “were massing up for a likely attack or kidnapping of vulnerable civilians, hence the need to immediately attack the location.”
Gabkwet said, “Intelligence received after the strike revealed that Janari was indeed eliminated alongside several other terrorists/
kidnappers”.
He added that similar air strikes were also carried out on January 20, 2024 on confirmed terrorists and kidnappers’ hideouts near Chukuba in Niger State with various degrees of success.
He said, “Feedback after the strikes was also positive as it confirmed that the targets were neutrlised and their mobility destroyed.”
The statement said the NAF will continue to collaborate with other security agencies across all locations suspected of harbouring terrorists and kidnappers.
