Airstrikes by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) have killed 80 terrorists in their hideouts at Gidan Kare village in Faskare Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Over 45 motorcycles were also destroyed during the airstrikes that were carried out on June 15.
NAF’s spokesperson, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet announced this in a statement on Monday, June 17.
He said: “The strikes became necessary following intelligence that terrorists numbering over 100 were reported burning houses at a settlement about 5 kms away from Gidan Kare Village. Overhead the Village at about 8.30pm, several houses were observed to be on fire with the entire Village in pandemonium.
“Moments later, 12 motor cycles were seen departing the Village and trailed along a footpath out of the village to a location near Gidan Kare Village and Kuka Shidda Camp, where they joined up with a large number of their cohorts. Other terrorists were also observed arriving the location from different directions, an indication that the location was a massing up point with the terrorists likely planning to further attack nearby villages.
Having been presented such a rare opportunity, authorization was sought, obtained and the location was immediately struck at exactly 9:40pm, with over 80 terrorists confirmed eliminated and about 45 motorcycles burnt down, while few surviving terrorists were observed fleeing or limping off.
“Further intelligence received after the strike also revealed that the terrorists were closely linked with notorious terrorist kingpin Yusuf Yellow and his close associate Rabe Imani.”
Air Vice Marshal Gabkwet said the
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, had commended the efforts of the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji for the feat a achieved.