By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
The Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has eliminated scores of Boko Haram terrorists at two locations in the Bula Marwa area of Borno State.
According to a statement issued on Monday by Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, Director of Public Relations and Information, “having identified Bula Marwa as a high-level meeting site for Boko Haram’s notorious figures, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions further confirmed heightened terrorist activity.He said the ISR, on Friday, October 25, revealed an influx of motorcycles and gatherings of combatants across the site.
According to him, NAF fighter jets were dispatched to the location for an air interdiction mission.
The NAF spokesman stated: “On arrival, ISR footage captured suspected terrorists assembling at a rendezvous point on 12 motorcycles.
“The motorcycles were then traced to a primary meeting location where additional terrorists had been waiting.
“Accordingly, the first airstrike was executed, effectively engaging the target area.
“Moments later, ISR aircraft loitering in the vicinity observed several terrorists returning to assess the damage and evacuate their wounded combatants.
“In response, NAF air assets conducted follow-up strikes, neutralising additional terrorists.”
Akinboyewa said additional ISR was conducted in the area the same day, identifying another group of Boko Haram terrorists gathering under a large tree at a second meeting site.
He said the NAF air assets launched a precision airstrike on the location, achieving a direct hit and neutralising numerous terrorists.
According to him, these air operations struck a significant blow to planned terrorist activities, taking out multiple fighters and demolishing their motorcycles, thereby crippling their ability to launch ambushes or other hostile actions.
He added: “This impactful strike highlights the ongoing contributions of the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI to ridding northeastern Nigeria of terrorist activities.
“The NAF remains committed to executing its mission with relentless precision, whether in joint or independent operations, to bring an end to terrorism as well as all other threats to the sovereignty and security of our Great Nation.”