The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says its airstrikes eliminated several terrorists and destroyed their vehicles at Dabar Masara, a notorious terrorist enclave in the Southern Tumbuns of Borno State.
In a statement issued yesterday, NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the operation was carried out on December 14 after “credible intelligence” obtained through coordinated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions confirmed the presence of a terrorist workshop and sustained movements of armed fighters in the area.
Ejodame explained that earlier ISR missions had revealed repeated terrorist activity in the location, alongside a large number of vehicles hidden under vegetation, identifying the area as an active terrorist logistics base.
He said: “On the day of the operation, further surveillance validated the earlier findings, with terrorists observed manoeuvring within the location and around the identified vehicles.
“Following positive identification and in strict adherence to the Rules of Engagement, the targets were engaged. Post-operation Battle Damage Assessment confirmed that the identified vehicles were destroyed and terrorist elements were neutralised.
“The successful execution of this mission underscores the NAF’s continued commitment to intelligence-driven, precise air operations in support of national efforts to degrade terrorist networks and enhance security across affected regions.”
Meanwhile, residents of the Mararaba community in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State have alleged that the airstrikes also resulted in civilian casualties.
According to the residents, the strikes, which reportedly occurred between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m., killed an unspecified number of civilians, including fishermen and commercial drivers who had gathered at a terminus along the road linking Daban Masara in Kukawa LGA and Badeiri in Marte LGA.
They said the drivers had assembled to transport fish products and fishermen when the airstrikes hit the area.
Residents further claimed that three people were killed and about 10 vehicles destroyed, adding that some of the injured victims were taken to the General Hospital in Monguno for medical treatment.
As of the time of filing this report, NAF authorities had not issued a response to the allegations.