A notorious terrorists leader, Alhaji Shanono and 18 others have been neutralised in the ongoing operations by the Nigerian Airforce in the Northwest.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said over 30 riffles and 20 motorcycles were destroyed during the airstrike.
He said Shanono was killed in an airstrike on Tuesday, following intelligence reports, that the criminal had scheduled a meeting with his foot soldiers at Ukambo, a village about 131 km from Kaduna.
At least 26 kidnapped victims earlier held by the terrorists were said to have been released as a result of the airstrike.
Gabkwet said, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, who was in Kaduna on Wednesday to review the operations, gave further directives to troops as intensive air operations are being sustained in the entire military theatres of operation.
He said, “NAF aircraft continue to seek and decimate enemies of the state in their attempts to make life unbearable for innocent Nigerians.
“From the briefings received by the CAS, it is evident that so far, the directives given to the operational commanders is yielding the requisite outcome.”
The statement said, Amao, while addressing the commanders, reminded them of the need to remain steadfast and focused on the task ahead.
“We can’t afford to let down our guards”, the statement quoted the CAS. The statement said, “In the Northwest specifically, the effect of strikes undertaken by NAF aircraft have revealed that several terrorists have been eliminated and their enclaves destroyed.
“One of such strikes which occurred yesterday, 9 August 2022, resulted in the elimination of a well known terrorist leader operating in Kaduna State.
“Indeed, following receipt of intelligence on 9 August 2022 that a well known terrorists’ kingpin, Alhaji Shanono, had scheduled a meeting with his foot soldiers at Ukambo, a village about 131 km from Kaduna, the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch dispatched aircraft for interdiction mission at the location.
“Overhead the location, terrorists were sighted under clusters of trees at the foot of Ukambo high ground and after ensuring the absence of civilian settlements within the location, the crew received the authorization to strike.”
According to the statement, “Feedback from local sources disclosed that over 30 rifles and 20 motorbikes were destroyed while about 18 terrorists, including Alhaji Shanono, were neutralized with others sustaining various degree of injuries.
“Sources also revealed that not less than 26 kidnapped victims earlier held by the terrorists were released as a result of the airstrike.”
Gabkwet said, similar strikes were also undertaken in the Northeast as well.
He said, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai had their tasks well cut out for them as they have been fully engaged in conducting air interdiction missions on terrorists’ targets in Borno State.
Gabkwet said, “One of such operations was conducted on 6 August 2022 at Gazuwa, about 1.2 kilometers to Gargash, after intelligences revealed that infighting for relevance and supremacy was underway between terrorists of the Shekau faction and terrorists aligned to Islamic State of West Africa (ISWAP).
“The state of confusion and disorder among the two terrorists’ factions thus presented an opportunity for a surprise strike by NAF pilots which was carried out using two aircraft types.
“It should be noted that though the map coordinates led the pilots to the exact site of the infighting, the location also had an ISWAP flag hoisted on the structure and three solar panels on the rooftop.
“Intelligence received and corroborated by local sources revealed the strike was a success as the terrorists did not anticipate it with several of them eliminated and others injured.”
The statement said, the impact of the strikes is said to have reverberated through the remaining terrorists’ camps who are beginning to realise that they are fighting an unjust and lost cause that will no doubt lead to their death.
The statement said most of the terrorists are said to be contemplating surrendering like others before them.
Meanwhile, sources have confirmed that the Nigerian military are exuding so much confidence especially with the level of successes being recorded.
They are also optimistic that the counterterrorism strategies and efforts will in no distant time yield the expected outcome even beyond the northeast.
