Several terrorists were killed in two substantial airstrikes by the air component of the combined military operation, “Operation Hadin Kai,” on November 8 and November 11, in the Borno areas of Ajigin and Banki Junction.
Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, Director of Public Relations and Information for the Nigerian Air Force, stated on Sunday in Abuja that the interdictions were a continuation of operations to eliminate any remaining terrorists from the locations.
He claimed that the insurgents had finalized plans to attack army installations between Damboa and Wajiroko. They’d hidden four gun trucks behind dense bush.
He also stated that three of the gun-trucks were hit, as demonstrated by the dense black smoke and fire that emitted from them following the strike. The last gun-truck was seen exiting the strike site.
“The fleeing truck was subsequently tailed for about 26km until it disappeared under a tree, but was struck and observed to be on fire with no sign of movement at the location.
“The destruction of the four gun-trucks, along with the occupants, effectively degraded the capability of the terrorists to attack friendly forces and locals within the area,’’ he stated.
Gabkwet added that air interdiction missions were also conducted at a location seven kilometres east of Banki Junction in Borno on Nov 11.
The location, he explained, was a well-known terrorists’ enclave hitherto deserted, but suddenly became active with high terrorists’ activities.
Terrorists used the location as logistics storage area and staging area to attack troops’ locations at Banki Junction in the past, he added.
“Accordingly, NAF aircraft were scrambled to interdict the location. The aftermath of the strike revealed the destruction of the location with the logistics sites on fire.
“The terrorists have continued to feel the firepower of air and ground forces and her apparently desperate, confused and at a loss as to why they have been on the receiving end of military onslaughts.