Over 30 terrorists of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP),including three of their top commanders have been eliminated in an airstrike by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, spokesperson of NAF disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
Gabkwet said the operation which was carried out by the Air component of Operation Hadarin Kai (OPHK) was conducted on April 13, 2024 at the ISWAP hideouts within Kolleram village, Borno state, along the shores of Lake Chad.
He said mong those neutralised were some senior commanders such as Ali Dawud, Bakura Fallujah and Mallam Ari.
The statement added that many vehicles, motorcycles and logistical assets belonging to the terrorists were destroyed, severely hampering the criminals’ operational capabilities.
In a decisive blow against terrorism, the Air component of Operation Hadarin Kai (OPHK) has executed a precision airstrike on the hideouts of ISWAP terrorists nestled within Kolleram village along the shores of Lake Chad”, the statement reads.
“The operation, conducted on 13 April 2024, yielded significant success as the Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) post-strike conducted revealed the neutralization of over 30 terrorists.
“Among those neutralized were some senior commanders such as Ali Dawud, Bakura Fallujah, and Mallam Ari.
“Additionally, numerous vehicles, motorcycles, and logistical assets were destroyed, severely hampering the terrorists’ operational capabilities.”
Gabkwet said intelligence gathered after the air strike further indicated that the aerial bombardment effectively obliterated a key facility within the Kolleram enclave, which served as a hub for the terrorists’ food processing activities, including grinding machines.
According to him, “The success of these airstrikes underscores NAF’s commitment to eradicating terrorism and ensuring the safety and security of Nigerian citizens.
“By neutralising key terrorist figures and destroying their logistical infrastructure, the operation has significantly degraded the capabilities of the ISWAP group in the region.
“These airstrikes complement the ongoing efforts of ground forces in the Lake Chad flank and represent a crucial step forward in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria.”
