‘Many terrorists killed’ as NAF conducts airstrikes in Borno

Many terrorists have been reportedly killed during airstrike operations by the air component of operation Hadin Kai in Borno.

In a statement on Friday, Edward Gabkwet, spokesperson of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), said the terrorists were killed at their meeting point near Degbawa, around Mandara mountains in Goza LGA of the state.

Gabkwet said the airstrikes were conducted while the terrorists were gathering for a meeting on Thursday.

He said the insurgents were responsible for the recent attack on some locals in Geidam area, adding that they were meeting to plan a fresh attacks on residents of the community.

“Precision air strikes by the air component of operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) on 2nd of November 2023, have led to the elimination of several terrorists at their meeting point near Degbawa, a reclusive location within the Mandara Mountains in Goza local government area of Borno state,” the statement reads.

“The airstrikes were called for after intelligence revealed the sighting of some key terrorists’ figures and their foot soldiers arriving the location in the last 2 days for a probable meeting.

“Their gathering in large number yesterday afternoon near Degbawa raised concerns, thus necessitating the need for an air interdiction on the location with devastating outcome for the terrorists.

“An assessment of the location after the strike revealed a large number of terrorists were indeed eliminated.

“According to several sources, this particular location was carefully chosen by the terrorists to evade being easily detected especially by NAF aircraft.

“The outcome of the strike however proved the terrorists wrong as their nefarious plans to meet was detected, thus leading to the success of the air strike.

“The sources also noted that this strike was a major set back for the terrorists who have, of late, been at the receiving end of the air and land components of OPHK.

“Another source also noted that these terrorists were responsible for the recent attack on some locals in Geidam and had planned to meet to review the attack as well as plan the next line of attack on innocent civilians and other vulnerable targets.”

The NAF spokesperson said the force would continue to go after the terrorists until they are eliminated or surrendered to the troops.