The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) announced yesterday in Abuja that it has killed at least 100 Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) and other terrorists in a series of airstrikes on their enclaves in the theaters of Operations Hadin Kai and Hadarin Daji.
According to a statement released by the Director of Public Relations and Information for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, the Air component conducted air interdiction missions on Saturday morning. These missions targeted a newly discovered hideout of terrorists situated near Lake Chad in the Borno region, specifically in Bukar Meram.
Gabkwet explained that these airstrikes were deemed necessary due to intelligence indicating the recent movement of terrorists from Suwa to the Bukar Meram vicinity. This relocation raised concerns about the potential for renewed attacks on both military personnel and innocent civilians.
He stated that airstrikes were sanctioned at the Bukar Meram site to eliminate the terrorists, emphasizing that “Feedback received after the strikes revealed the expected outcome was achieved as several terrorists were neutralized while over 40 motorcycles and 6 gun trucks were destroyed, thereby degrading their ability to attack ground troops as well as innocent Nigerians.”
“Similar strikes on terrorists were carried out in the early hours of 11 October 2023 by the Air Component of Operation Haradin Daji around the Sangeko axis of Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.”
“The terrorists, who were in a convoy of about 70 motorcycles on the road track leading from Kabaro towards Sangeko, were subsequently engaged with several of them neutralized, their motorcycles destroyed, and others injured.”
Meanwhile, Troops of Operation Hadarin Daji quickly responded to distress calls and rescued four students of the Federal University Gusau who were kidnapped by bandits in Zamfara State on Saturday. The troops blocked all major exit routes and engaged the bandits in a gunfight, forcing them to abandon the students. Two of the students escaped during the encounter, and the other two were rescued safely by the soldiers.
The students were kidnapped at around 9:20 pm in their off-campus residence in Sabon Gida, Damba area of Gusau Local Government Area.
During the abduction operation on Saturday, the bandits reportedly discharged multiple gunshots to intimidate the residents. Despite efforts by certain security personnel to counter this by firing their shots to deter the bandits, the abductors managed to seize the students.
According to a source, “The troops immediately mobilized and formed blocking position at possible withdrawal routes and this led to a heavy gun duel with the terrorists as they made to escape. The troops’ superior firepower forced the terrorists to abandon the victims and flee, some with gunshot injuries.
“During the encounter with the terrorists, two of the students escaped while the two others a male and female were safely rescued by the gallant soldiers.”