By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has dealt another devastating blow to terrorists in the North-East, as precision airstrikes under Operation Hadin Kai neutralised several Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters and destroyed two heavily armed gun trucks in the Yebi axis of Borno State.
Military sources confirmed to Zagazola Makama that the operation followed a fierce encounter on September 15, along the Baga–Cross Kauwa Main Supply Route, where troops successfully repelled an attempted ambush staged by ISWAP insurgents.
The terrorists, who struck near Garin Giwa in the early hours of Monday, were met with superior firepower, resulting in the death of eight fighters, including two top field commanders (Munzirs) and a unit leader (Qaid).
The neutralised leaders were identified as Modu Dogo Munzir of Dogon Chukun, another yet-to-be-identified Munzir, and Abu Aisha, a Qaid from Tumbun Mota. In the heat of the battle, the insurgents abandoned 14 motorcycles, while several others fled with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.
In a coordinated follow-up, the Air Component was tasked with pursuing the retreating terrorists. Fighter jets successfully tracked them to their hideouts around Yebi, where the terrorists had concealed fighters and gun trucks beneath thick forest cover.
“The aircraft acquired and engaged the targets in four devastating strikes, achieving direct hits with surgical precision,” a military source revealed.
The pounding air raids destroyed both gun trucks and neutralised scores of terrorists, while mop-up operations eliminated more insurgents attempting to escape the fiery onslaught.
The source reaffirmed the military’s commitment to intensifying aggressive land and air operations until terrorism is decisively crushed in the North-East.
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