NAF air strike kills ‘members of terrorist syndicate’ in Kaduna

An air strike by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reportedly killed suspected members of a terrorist syndicate in Kaduna state.

Edward Gabkwet, NAF spokesperson, announced the development in a statement on Monday.

Gabkwet said the strike followed an intelligence report about the movement of the syndicate along the Kwiga-Kampamin Doka axis in Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna state.

He added that intelligence report also revealed that the same syndicate was responsible for an ambush on troops at Kwanan Mutuwa on January 27, and several attacks and abduction of innocent civilians in Birnin Gwari.

The NAF spokesperson further said the terrorists were sighted moving in a convoy of about 15 motorcycles, with each motorcycle carrying at least two armed terrorists.

“In its relentless campaign to rid the North west and North Central regions of Nigeria of the menace of terrorism and kidnapping, the Air component of Operation Whirl Punch, has eliminated a syndicate of terrorists in Kaduna state,” the statement reads.

“The strike followed an intelligence report of the movement of the syndicate along the Kwiga-Kampamin Doka axis in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State.

“The intel also revealed that the same syndicate was responsible for the ambush on troops at Kwanan Mutuwa on 27 January 2024 as well as several attacks and abduction of innocent civilians in Birnin Gwari.

“On arrival at the suspected location, a deliberate and detailed scan revealed a trail of terrorists sighted moving in a convoy of about 15 motorcycles, each with at least 2 armed terrorists.

“Accordingly, the terrorists were trailed to a location where they converged before they were engaged and neutralized in a precision strike.

“The aftermath of the air strike revealed that several of the terrorists were eliminated as a result of the strike.”