NAF Eliminates Top Boko Haram Commander, Many Others In Borno

The Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, have eliminated a key Boko Haram terrorist leader, Abu Asad and several others in air strikes on their hideout at Tagoshe on Mandara Mountains in Borno. The Director, Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, made this known in a statement on Saturday in Abuja. Gabkwet said the air strikes which was conducted on Friday, was one of the most successful strikes undertaken by the air component of Operation Hadin Kai in recent time. He said the NAF discovered a massing of terrorists in an isolated location consisting of three zinced structures amid several trees. He added that it was evident from the footage that the terrorists were massing up at the location for either a well-planned meeting or preparing for a major attack on troops. According to him, over 100 heavily armed terrorists were observed throwing banters and moving randomly around the structures which also had four troop carriers. “The aftermath of the air strike revealed that two out of the three structures, as well as the entire troop carriers were destroyed. “There are also indications that Abu Asad, a key figure in the Ali Ngulde group under Boko Haram, as well as other terrorists like Ibrahim Nakeeb, Mujaheed Dimtu, Mustafa Munzir and several fighters were among the several terrorists eliminated in the air strike,” he said. The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has commended the Air Component Commander and his men for the feet. Abubakar urged them to continue to synergise with the Land Component while maintaining the momentum in keeping the terrorists on their toes. He said they must continue to justify the trust and confidence the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria have in them. “You must ensure that we go all out in making life unbearable for these terrorists and criminals until they surrender or are completely eliminated,” he said. 

NAF Airstrikes Annihilate Terrorists’ Hideouts In North East, North West

The Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) in the North East and Operation Hadarin Daji in North West has destroyed several terrorists’ enclaves in recent operations across the theatres. This is contained in a statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, on Sunday in Abuja. Gabkwet said the operations were coordinated in collaboration with the land component and other security agencies within the operational theatres. He said the troops had ensured that terrorists, insurgents and other criminal elements operating in the two regions did not constitute significant security threats to innocent citizens within the regions. In the North East, Gabkwet said the precision air strikes by the Air Component of OPHK on Nov. 3, led to the elimination of several terrorists at their meeting point near Degbawa, a reclusive location within the Mandara Mountains in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno. He said the air strikes were called for after intelligence revealed the sighting of some key terrorists’ figures and their foot soldiers arriving the location for a probable meeting. According to him, their gathering in large number raised concerns, thus necessitating the need for an air interdiction on the location with devastating outcome for the terrorists. “An assessment of the location after the strike revealed several terrorists were indeed eliminated. “According to several sources, the particular location was carefully chosen by the terrorists to evade being easily detected, especially by NAF aircraft. “The outcome of the strike, however, proved the terrorists wrong as their nefarious plans to meet were detected, thus leading to the success of the air strike. “The sources also noted that this strike was a major setback for the terrorists who have, of late, been at the receiving end of the air and land components of OPHK,” he said. NAF spokesman said that there were also strong indications that the terrorists were responsible for the recent attack on some locals in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe on October 31. He said the terrorists had planned to meet to review the attack as well as plan the next line of attack on innocent civilians and other vulnerable targets. In the North West, Gabkwet said the Air Component of OPHD has on Nov. 1, conducted series of successful airstrikes in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State, targeting the hideout of a notorious terrorist kingpin, Babaru. According to him, Babaru has been implicated in numerous acts of terrorism and banditry across Kankara and adjacent LGAs in Katsina State. He said that the said Badaru was involved in the massacre of over 100 residents of Gidan Gari and Yarmai-Yadiya villages in Bakori Local Government Area on February 2. According to him, the airstrikes destroyed Babaru’s hideout and eliminated several terrorists, though there was no confirmation if Babaru was among those neutralised. Gabkwet said the air strikes were also carried out at the enclave of terrorist kingpin known as Mai Solar in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara. According to him, the air strikes took out clusters of enclaves used as hideouts by the kingpin and his cohorts at the location. “It was a successful strike as few survivors were observed fleeing the scene of the strike. There is no confirmation if Mai Solar was among the terrorists eliminated,” he said.

NAF Airstrikes Eliminate Terrorists, Destroy Gun Trucks In Borno, Zamfara

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says the Air Components of Operations Hadin Kai and Hadarin Daji, have eliminated scores of terrorists in stream of air strikes in their enclaves across the theatres. This is contained in a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, on Sunday in Abuja. Gabkwet said the Air component in the early hours of Saturday, carried out air interdiction missions at a newly identified terrorists’ hideout at Bukar Meram, near the Lake Chad region in Borno. He said the strikes became necessary after it was established that recent relocation of terrorists from Suwa to Bukar Meram general area, was to for possible resurgence of attacks on ground troops and innocent civilians. According to him, air strikes were authorised at the location in Bukar Meram to decimate the terrorists. “Feedback received after the strikes revealed the expected outcome was achieved as several terrorists were neutralised while over 40 motorcycles and six gun trucks were destroyed,” he said. NAF spokesman said that similar air strikes were carried out on terrorists on Oct. 11 by the Air Component of Operation Haradin Daji around Sangeko axis of Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara. He said the terrorists, who were in a convoy of about 70 motorcycles on the road track from Kabaro towards Sangeko, were subsequently engaged with several neutralised, their motorcycles destroyed, and others injured. Gabkwet said the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar has commended the professionalism and dedication of the Air Components. He quoted Abubakar as saying, “your efforts and support to the ground troops is commendable. Stay focused and do not be complacent as we must continue to give our citizens the confidence they deserve to thrive”. 

We’re Revitalising Nigerian Army’s Air Wing For Enhanced Operations -COAS

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has announced the Army’s plans to revitalize its Air wing to enhance its operational capabilities and alleviate the burden on the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).  Lagbaja made this revelation during a press briefing on Tuesday after addressing participants of Senior Course 46 at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) Jaji. The COAS highlighted the need for the Nigerian Army to acquire helicopters that would support troops during patrols and various operations, enabling them to effectively combat adversaries. This strategic move would also allow the NAF to focus more on delivering high operational and strategic requirements. Furthermore, Lagbaja emphasized that the newly established air wing would empower the Army to handle tactical requirements, including air interdictions. He clarified that both the Army and the NAF would continue to collaborate effectively to address the security challenges facing the nation. In explaining the rationale behind acquiring helicopters, Lt.-Gen. Lagbaja mentioned that it aligns with global military practices for the Army to possess integral helicopter units while delegating strategic demands to the Air Force. The helicopters would provide critical functions such as intelligence surveillance, reconnaissance reports, and air interdiction. However, for large-scale strategic offensives, the NAF would remain the primary force. Discussing his command philosophy, the COAS shared that he aims to transform the Nigerian Army into a highly trained, well-equipped, and motivated force, capable of fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities. He stressed the importance of joint efforts among various military services and commanders at all levels to achieve a more effective Nigerian Army. The Commandant of AFCSC, AVM Hassan Alhaji, expressed his gratitude to Lt.-Gen. Lagbaja for personally delivering the lecture and providing valuable insights into the direction of the Nigerian Army. He encouraged the officers to embrace the leadership qualities advocated by the COAS to enhance their command capabilities and fulfill their assigned tasks effectively.

NAF Destroys Over 30 Illegal Refinery Sites In Rivers

The Air Component of Operation Delta Safe strikes has in the last two months destroyed more than 30 illegal oil refining sites around the Cawthorne Channel and Bille, in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers. The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja. Gabkwet said the air strikes ramped up efforts at denying oil thieves and operators of illegal oil refining sites the opportunity to burst pipelines, operate their illegal oil refineries sites while damaging the environment. He said the air strikes conducted at Cawthorne Channel on Friday, destroyed four active illegal refining sites with dug out reservoirs and surface storage tanks suspected to be containing illegal refined products. According to him, similar air strikes were also conducted at Bille on Saturday and early hours of Sunday which destroyed three illegal oil refining sites with storage tanks and reservoirs were destroyed. “In one of the sites, a Cotonou boat suspected to be siphoning crude oil from a flow station was engaged in several passes and destroyed. “In the last two months, Cawthorne Channel and Bille have accounted for the majority of oil theft and illegal oil refining activities in Rivers State. “Within this period, over 30 illegal oil refining sites in these two locations have been destroyed by the Land, Maritime and Air Components of Operation Delta Safe. “These efforts will be sustained in these locations and others until oil thieves and their accomplices desist from their illegal activities,” the statement added.