The military has neutralised 103 terrorists in seven precision air strikes targeting Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) positions and logistics facilities in the North-East within eight days.
The strikes were conducted between Oct. 10 and Oct. 18 by Operation Hadin Kai, using Nigerian Army Aviation, the Nigerian Army Remotely Piloted Aircraft Regiment and Air Component assets.
Capt. Mohammed Goni, the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North-East), said this in a statement issued in Maiduguri.
He said the operations targeted terrorist locations around Gudumbali, Badu, Mairari and Duste Uku in Borno and Adamawa states.
Goni said a major success was recorded on Oct. 18 when an air strike targeted the alternate residence of Abu Saleem, identified as the ISWAP Wali of South Lake Chad, in the Arina Woje area of Monguno Local Government Area, Borno.
He said subsequent human intelligence confirmed the deaths of Jindullah, reportedly the senior terrorist’s chief security guard, and Abul Kissa, a member of the group’s Shura Council, alongside other fighters.
According to him, the strike destroyed the targeted structure and logistics assets, including nine boat engines and several motorcycles.
He said the operation was intended to disrupt terrorist leadership, logistics networks and the use of the location as a safe haven.
Going said another significant operation occurred on Oct. 13 when an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance asset tracked 16 terrorists from the Mairari axis to a gathering of more than 100 fighters accompanied by several motorcycles.
He said the gathering was located about 23 kilometres east of Badu and 19 kilometres west of Monguno.
According to him, a subsequent precision strike resulted in the assessed neutralisation of about 30 terrorists, while the extent of damage to the motorcycles remained unconfirmed.
The military spokesperson said other strikes during the period targeted terrorist elements and facilities around Gudumbali on Oct. 10, Badu on Oct. 11, Mairari and an area east of Badu on Oct. 13, and Duste Uku in Adamawa on Oct. 16.
He said the seven strikes collectively disrupted terrorist concentrations, command structures and logistics networks across the theatre.
Goni said Operation Hadin Kai would sustain intelligence-led operations and coordination among air and ground forces to deny terrorists safe havens and improve security across the North-East. (NAN)
