The Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji stormed the hideout of a terrorist leader identified as Alhaji Nashama in Zamfara State’s Birnin Magaji Local Government Area.
Nashama’s enclave was reportedly demolished, and some of his foot men were slain during the raid.
A military report on Wednesday said the raid was carried out following intelligence reports that terrorists were planning to launch an attack and rustle cattle.
The troops of the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji eliminated several terrorists loyal to the notorious terrorists’ kingpin, Alhaji Nashama, at Alhaji Nashama’s enclave in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The strikes were carried out on the heels of credible and actionable intelligence reports that the terrorists were massing up at Tsamre in Birnin Magaji LGA to attack and rustle cattle.
Accordingly, the Air Component of OPHD struck the location in successive passes, eliminating scores of terrorists as well as destroying their structures and enclave,” the report added.
It added that similar air strikes were also conducted on terrorist enclaves at Hanawanka in Shiroro LGA and Palele, a village on the borders of Shiroro and Munya LGAs of Niger State.
The report said the raid in Niger was following intelligence reports that terrorists were migrating from Katsina and Zamfara in the state.
It added, “This became necessary after intelligence had revealed a migration of terrorists from Katsina and Zamfara states who had come under intense heat from military onslaughts.”
In the North-East, the report said air strikes were also conducted by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai on July 25, 2023, at a terrorists’ hideout located about 1.5 km East of Arra in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
“Arra was once a well-known terrorists’ hideout near Sambisa Forest that was cleared of terrorists by the Land Component of Operation Hadin Kai. The intelligence-driven strikes followed days and weeks of careful observation of the location, which had revealed suspected terrorists armed with various firearms who used the covers of trees and other vegetation to hide their motorcycles and trucks to evade detection. The aftermath of the air strikes revealed several terrorists neutralised and their weapons, equipment, and structures destroyed.”
When contacted, the Nigerian Air Force Spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, confirmed the operations.
He, however, declined further comments regarding the operations.