The air component of Operation Hadarin Daji targeted and destroyed terrorist strongholds in Katsina and Zamfara states, killing scores of fighters.
According to NAF Director of Public Relations and Information AVM Edward Gabkwet, the air component conducted airstrikes on the stronghold of infamous terrorist leader Maudi Maudi and several other terrorist kingpins south of Tsaskiya in Katsina State’s Safana local government area (LGA) on March 5, 2024.
AVM Gabkwet stated that the strikes were sparked by meticulous Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance operations performed in the targeted area, where concentrations of homes were discovered amid rough terrain.
He stated that the reconnaissance revealed a significant presence of armed terrorists lounging among the huts, prompting the authorization to strike.
Gabkwet further stated that a post-strike Battle Damage Assessment found that the targeted location was engulfed in flames, with a few survivors seen running to safety.
Although the NAF official verified that several terrorists were killed in the airstrikes, he could not say what happened to Maudi Maudi.
“Though several terrorists were eliminated, it remains unconfirmed if Maudi Maudi was among those neutralized,” he said.
He said similar strikes were also conducted on 6 March 2024 at the stronghold of another notorious terrorist kingpin, Alhaji Na-Shama, situated East of Ussu village within the Nasarawar Mailayi District in the Birnin Magaji LGA of Zamfara State.
“Reliable human intelligence has confirmed the neutralization of several of Na-Shama’s associates and the total obliteration of his camp and logistics. It is yet to be confirmed if Na-Shama was among the victims,” he said.
The statement said precision strikes by NAF aircraft have continued to give the expected outcomes with the elimination of several terrorists and the destruction of their means of mobility.
“These efforts served to protect civilian lives as well as disrupt their logistics support bases and motorcycles,” he noted.
The NAF spokesman said the proactive approach aligned with the mission objectives of Operation Hadarin Daji, which majorly focuses on securing the Northwestern region from the menace of terrorism, kidnapping and banditry.