NAF Kills Terrorist Chief, 26 Others

By Uche Mbah

The war on terror took a new turn Wednesday when the Nigerian Airforce neutralized over 26 terrorists in an Air attack on their hideouts.

The Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said in a statement Wednesday that the Air Force has sustained attacks on terrorist bases in the Northwest, with the terrorists suffering heavy casualties.

Recall that recent terrorist activities  resulted in President Buhari summoning Service Chiefs to a meeting in Aso Rock. Part of the outcome of that meeting, and subsequent invitations of the Service Chiefs by the National Assembly, was redeployments of some Commanders of top military formations.

The raid also resulted in no less than 26 kidnapped victims being released from their captors.

Gabkwet said that the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, has commended troops for their gallantry during the operations.

“One of such strikes which occurred on August, 9, resulted in the elimination of a well known terrorist leader operating in Kaduna State”, he said.

“Indeed, following receipt of intelligence on same day, that a well known  insurgents kingpin, Alhaji Shanono, had scheduled a meeting with his foot soldiers at Ukambo, a village about 131 km from Kaduna.

“The Air Component of operation `Whirl Punch` dispatched aircraft for interdiction mission at the location.

“Overhead the location, insurgents were sighted under clusters of trees at the foot of Ukambo high ground and after ensuring the absence of civilian settlements within the location, the crew received the authorisation to strike.

“Feedback from local sources disclosed that over 30 rifles and 20 motorbikes were destroyed while about 18  insurgents, including Alhaji Shanono, were  neutralised while others sustained various degree of injuries.

“However, sources also revealed that not less than 26 kidnapped victims earlier held by the insurgents were released as a result of the airstrike,” he added.

Gabkwet said that the CAS had been briefed on every step of the proceedings, and had given fillip to the attacks. He addressed the Commanders urging them not to rest on their oars, and to continue the campaign.

“From the briefings received by the CAS, it is evident that so far, the directive given to the Operational Commanders is yielding the requisite outcome,“ he said.

`’We can’t afford to let down our guards,” the CAS told the Commanders.

Beside the North west, coordinated attacks on terrorist enclaves are also being sustained in the Northeast, with the  Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai  conducting successful strikes on insurgents’ targets in Borno.

“One of such operations was conducted on Aug. 6 at Gazuwa, about 1.2 kilometers to Gargash, after intelligences revealed that infighting for supremacy was underway between Shekau`s faction and Islamic State of West Africa (ISWAP) faction.

“The state of confusion and disorder between the two factions presented an opportunity for a surprise strike by NAF pilots which was carried out using two aircraft types.”

The attacks, according to the Air Force, has disorganized the insurgents.

“It should be noted that though the map coordinates led the pilots to the exact site of the infighting, the location also had an ISWAP flag hoisted on the structure and three solar panels on the rooftop.

“Intelligence received and corroborated by local sources revealed the strike was a success as the insurgents did not anticipate it with several eliminated and others injured.

“Most are said to be contemplating surrendering just like others before them,“ he said.