By Gabriel Ameh
The Air Component of Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai has neutralised 27 terrorists in a series of precision airstrikes targeting insurgent enclaves in Borno State.
According to an operational report released by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), the successful missions were carried out following extensive Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations across the North-East theatre.
The report stated that at about 12:40 a.m. on June 10, air assets comprising Dragon and ISR platforms conducted an air interdiction mission at Dawoshe, a known terrorist stronghold in the Southern Tumbus area of Borno State.
During the operation, surveillance teams identified terrorist vehicles within the enclave, which were subsequently engaged and destroyed by the aircraft. Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) confirmed the destruction of the vehicles and the elimination of 12 terrorists.
On the same day, the Air Component launched another precision strike on terrorist positions in Metele, located in the Northern Tumbus area of Guzamala Local Government Area.
Post-strike assessments supported by Battle Damage Assessment and Human Intelligence (HUMINT) reports confirmed that 15 terrorists were killed during the operation.
Military authorities said the coordinated strikes dealt a significant blow to terrorist elements operating around the Lake Chad fringes and Tumbus hideouts, areas long considered strategic bases for insurgent activities.
The operations form part of ongoing efforts by the Armed Forces of Nigeria to degrade terrorist capabilities, disrupt logistics networks and deny insurgents freedom of movement across the North-East.
The report noted that a total of 27 terrorists were neutralised in the two separate air operations and reaffirmed the military’s commitment to sustaining offensive actions until lasting peace and security are restored in the region.
