- Nigerian Air Force units executed airstrikes in the Arina area of Southern Tumbuns, Borno state
- Intelligence report indicated that five commanders and 35 of their soldiers were either critically wounded or entirely eliminated
- The Air Force said it remained committed to ensuring peace and security, Edward Gabkwet stated
Nigerian forces attached to Operation Hadin Kai have reportedly struck terrorists in Borno State, leading to the deaths of Boko Haram commanders who have been causing unrest in the Arina area of Southern Tumbuns.
Edward Gabkwet, the Nigerian Air Force spokesman, informed journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, August 21 that before the operation, intelligence indicated that the terrorists had moved to the area.
Gabkwet said, “In a decisive effort to further weaken the activities of the remnant of terrorists operating in the Northeast while also protecting innocent civilians and own troops, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai successfully executed an air interdiction mission on August 16 in Arina, Southern Tumbuns, Borno State.
Operation Hadin Kai strikes terrorists in Borno
Air Vice Marshal Gabkwet listed the commanders of the terrorists as Dan Fulani Fari Fari, Munzir Arika, Sani Dilla (Dan Hausawan Jubillaram), Ameer Modu, and Bakoura Arina Chiki.
According to the senior military officer, intelligence gathered after the air component's operation in Operation Hadin Kai indicated that the five commanders and 35 of their soldiers were either critically wounded or entirely killed.
“Additionally, credible intelligence further revealed that five key terrorist leaders were either killed or severely injured in the strikes. The terrorists’ commanders are believed to have been present at the location during the operation,” Gabkwet added.
Operations reduce terrorists’ capabilities
The operation had significantly reduced the terrorists' operational capabilities in the Northeast and would persist until all remaining elements were entirely eliminated.
Gabkwet said, “Before the mission, intelligence had revealed the clandestine migration of terrorists into the area from neighbouring locations.
“Confirmatory Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions were further conducted on 12 and 15 August 2024, which identified numerous terrorists and active structures concealed under trees.
“Consequently, coordinated airstrikes were launched over the location, and the targets successfully engaged, resulting in the neutralisation of several terrorists and the destruction of their structures.
“Battle Damage Assessment after the strikes revealed that several pieces of equipment, vehicles, water vessels and a suspected medical dispensary were obliterated by the strikes.
“This operation has, no doubt, significantly degraded the operational capacity of the few remaining terrorists in the region.
“The Nigerian Air Force remains committed to supporting the efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies in safeguarding the region and ensuring peace and security prevail,” the Nigerian Air Force spokesman, Gabkwe stated.
Military deploys troops to protect farmers in the North as banditry, terrorism rise
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Defence Headquarters announced the deployment of troops to farms throughout the northern regions of the country, with a particular focus on the North West and North Central areas.
The military high command said the purpose of the deployment was to secure farmers from bandits, terrorists, and other forms of criminal activity.