Many insurgents ‘killed’ as air force strikes Boko Haram locations

The Nigeria air force says it has killed several Boko Haram insurgents in recent airstrikes in Borno state.

Ayodele Famuyiwa, spokesman of the air force, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

He said the air force fighter jets also provided cover for troops advancing to Pulka.

“The Nigerian air force fighter jets have attacked a number of Boko Haram terrorist (BHT) locations in northern Borno, killing several insurgents,” he said.

“On 16 November 2016, an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft reported a gathering of BHTs under a tree at Kadari.

“An Alpha Jet on armed reconnaissance was called in to strafe the location thus killing a number of the insurgents and causing survivors to flee in different directions.

“On 18 November 2016, NAF fighter jets again carried out a series of coordinated air strikes against BHT locations at Ngoshe.

“The strike, carried out by a three-ship formation of Alpha Jets against five carefully selected BHT targets, was part of Operation Rescue Finale by the Nigeria army.

“A similar air strike was conducted on another BHT location near Kangarwa on 19 November 2016. Based on ISR aircraft request, an Alpha Jet was scrambled for air interdiction at a location close to Kangarwa.

“The NAF, same day, provided ISR cover for own ground forces advancing from Ngoshe to Pulka.”