NAF air strikes ‘destroy terrorist hideouts’ in Katsina, Kaduna

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says the air component of Operation Whirl Punch and Hadarin Daji have eliminated terrorists’ enclaves in Kaduna and Katsina states.

Edward Gabkwet, NAF’s director of public relations and information, said this in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday.

Gabkwet said the air strikes in Giwa LGA of Kaduna, between May 30 and May 31, “yielded the requisite outcome”.

He said the strikes hit the stronghold of Buharinyadi, “an infamous terrorist”, in the Bula forest area.

Gabkwet added that the strikes followed “painstaking Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (IRS) operations conducted in the targeted vicinity, where several clusters of thatched roofed huts within compounds were observed amid thick vegetation”.

The spokesperson said the surveillance also confirmed a huge number of armed terrorists loitering around the huts, and over 13 motorcycles seen tucked under a large umbrella tree.

He added that the terrorists at the location were responsible for most of the attacks and kidnappings in several communities within Birnin Gwari, Igabi and Giwa LGAs.

“Accordingly, the Air Component dispatched its available air assets to strike the location,” the statement reads.

“Overhead the location, scores of the terrorists were sighted and subsequently struck, bringing effective and maximum damage on the targets and their equipment.

“Following a tip that some of the surviving terrorists had relocated 500 meters west of the interdicted location, a follow up strike was immediately conducted, with a post-strike Battle Damage Assessment revealing the neutralisation of several terrorists and their hideouts engulfed in flames.”

The NAF spokesman said that similar air strikes were also carried out on June 2 at Zango Hill in Kankara LGA of Katsina.

He said intelligence revealed that the location, which had a cluster of huts and zinc roofed structures, with multiple human and livestock movements, was being used by a terrorist kingpin called Alhaji Iliya and his cohorts.

Gabkwet said air interdiction was conducted over the location to decimate the terrorists and destroy their weapons.

“After the strike, Battle Damage Assessment footages and feedback received revealed that the strikes were successful as several terrorists were eliminated and their structures engulfed in flames,” he added.

“The NAF, in collaboration with surface forces, will continue to sustain domination of the battlespace through extensive situational awareness, constant patrols, and targeted interdiction of terrorists’ safe havens within its various areas of responsibility.

“Still, a whole of society approach remains a key factor in the ongoing efforts to minimise the threats posed by criminal elements.”