The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says several terrorists have been eliminated in Borno state by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) in collaboration with the Nigerien Air Force.
Edward Gabkwet spokesperson of NAF disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.
He said the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) and the Nigerien Air Force, on 23 April 2024, carried out air interdiction strikes on the terrorists’ hideouts in Damasak and Mobbar Local Government Areas of Borno state, dealing a deadly blow on the criminals.
The statement said the terrorists had attempted to attack troops of Sector 4 of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), at Lada, a border town between Niger Republic and Nigeria, and subsequently fled across the border into Nigeria.
Gabkwet said the fleeing terrorists who rode on eight motorcycles were later tracked to two locations at Zarri village, about 28 km east of Damasak and Mala Alide in Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State.
He added that the terrorists were observed hibernating in the village with their motorcycles hidden under trees and were subsequently eliminated in an airstrike by OPHK and Nigerien Air Force.
“In line with its collaborative efforts with the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) and the Nigerien Air Force, on 23 April 2024, carried out air interdiction strikes on terrorists’ hideouts in Damasak and Mobbar Local Government Areas of Borno state”, the statement reads.
“The terrorists had attempted to attack troops of Sector 4 of the MNJTF at Lada, a border town between Niger Republic and Nigeria, and subsequently fled across the border into Nigeria.
“The fleeing terrorists who were on eight motorcycles were later tracked to two locations situated at Zarri village, located about 28 km east of Damasak and Mala Alide in Mobbar LGA of Borno State.
“They were observed hibernating in the Village with their motorcycles hidden under trees.
“Subsequently, airstrikes from the Air Component of OPHK and Nigerien Air Force, under the watchful eye of Niger’s Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft, struck the terrorists’ locations.
“Real-time ISR footage later confirmed numerous terrorists were eliminated and several structures within the targeted areas destroyed.”
Gabkwet said collaborative efforts of this nature have continued to yield positive outcomes on both sides of the borders.
According to him, this has led to the reduction in terrorism and other forms of cross-border crimes perpetrated by criminals criss-crossing the borders to evade justice.
