Air force fighter jets ‘strike’ Boko Haram enclave

The Nigerian air force says two of its fighter jets successfully attacked an enclave of Boko Haram insurgents in Borno north on Wednesday, July 6.

The air component of operation Lafiya Dole attacked the insurgents with two F-7Ni fighter aircraft, according to Ayodele Famuyiwa, group captain and director of public relations and information.

“The location lies between Tumbum Rego and Malkonory and is about 25km from Kangarwa where own surface forces are currently harboured. The location, as can be seen from the enclosed footage, harbours BHT makeshift structures and about 4-6 clusters of solar panels, which are used by the terrorists to power communications equipment and for lighting.

“The latest strike is part of the air operations conducted by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in support of the efforts by own surface forces and the Multi National Joint Task Force to rid the northern part of Borno of the remnants BHTs in an operation code-named OPERATION GAMA AIKI.

“The location, prior to the strike yesterday, had been under surveillance for some time but was reported active by a NAF Beechcraft aircraft on Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission. Thereafter, the Fighter aircraft were immediately scrambled for interdiction.

“The success of this operation is another major setback for the BHTs even as the NAF intensifies air operations in the Northeast against the insurgents. More so, it is instructive to note that the mission yesterday was conducted by crew amid the Salah celebration. This brings to fore the commitment of NAF personnel towards successfully bringing the hostility in the Northeast to an end within the shortest possible time.”