Military air strikes kill ’22 terrorists’ in Katsina

Military air strikes have reportedly killed 22 terrorists in Katsina state.

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, the air strikes were conducted by the air component of Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) at Batsari and Sola Poi II in Batsari and Jibia LGAs of the state.

The publication said the strikes were executed in the wake of credible intelligence that the terrorists were responsible for several abductions and violent attacks on some communities within Kankara.

It added that intelligence reports at SOLA POI II uncovered a huge number of terrorists hibernating at the location with the aim of kidnapping and attacking commuters along Jibia-Katsina road.

“Subsequently, the Air Component of OPHD conducted waves of air interdiction missions which acquired the targets in multiple passes, killing several terrorists and destroying their structures and hideouts,” the publication said.

“It would be recalled that air strikes by NAF aircraft on 6 August 2022 eliminated terrorist leader Alhaji Abdulkareem Lawal aka Abdulkareem Boss and some of his foot soldiers at Ruga Forest in Katsina state.

“Late Abdulkareem Boss was alleged to have masterminded the killing of a Nigerian Police Area Commander of Dutsin ma on 5 July 2022, amidst several other atrocities.

“The source had further stated that Abdulkareem Boss was a high valued target who had been on the radar of the Nigerian military and other security agencies for a while.”

Edward Gabkwet, spokesperson of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), confirmed the air strikes.