Borno: NAF airstrikes destroy terrorist hideouts near Lake Chad

The Nigerian Air Force has reported eliminating a good number of terrorists in recent airstrikes conducted in the Tumbuns region near Lake Chad in Borno State.

In a statement released on Thursday, NAF spokesperson AVM Edward Gabkwet confirmed that Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions were carried out on August 22, 24, and 26, 2024.

Gabkwet detailed that these ISR missions uncovered several terrorists and their salvaged possessions hidden in four makeshift shelters, some camouflaged by trees and dense vegetation.

He stated, “In a major blow to the remaining terrorists in the Tumbuns area, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai successfully executed an airstrike at Jubillaram in southern Tumbuns. This operation was made possible by the forced relocation of the terrorists to higher ground due to recent flooding in their strongholds.”

The statement further explained: “The ISR missions on August 22, 24, and 26, 2024, revealed several terrorists and their salvaged belongings concealed within four makeshift shelters. These shelters were partially hidden under trees and thick foliage.”

Gabkwet noted that the strikes not only neutralized numerous terrorists but also destroyed their armoury, logistics storage facilities, and other structures.

He added, “Precision airstrikes were authorized on targeted areas, effectively destroying most of the structures. The thick black smoke from one destroyed facility indicated a probable armoury or logistics storage. Several terrorists were also neutralized.”

Gabkwet emphasized that the success of this operation highlights the NAF’s dedication to its mandate and its role in safeguarding the nation from terrorist threats. He noted that the recent rainfall and swampy terrain had inadvertently driven the terrorists out of hiding, allowing the NAF to deliver a decisive blow.

The spokesperson also mentioned that targeting these terrorists’ enclaves in Maiduguri disrupts their operations and reduces their ability to perpetrate violence, particularly against civilians. These enclaves also serve as supply points for other terrorist cells in the region.