NAF strikes kill terrorists in Kaduna, Zamfara

The Nigerian Air Force on Sunday said several terrorists were killed during an air interdiction on the Malum Forest in Kaduna State.

According to the service, most of the terrorists are responsible for recent attacks on civilians, abductions, and cattle rustling within the Shiroro Local Government of Niger State.

A statement by NAF spokesman, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, said the operation was carried out on Saturday, August 24, by the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch.

He said, “In response to the recent upsurge of terrorists’ activities targeting innocent civilians in Niger State, the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch has continued in its efforts to track, locate and eliminate the terrorists responsible.

“Intelligence gathered had revealed that most of the terrorists responsible for recent attacks on civilians, abductions, and cattle rustling within Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State were domiciled in Kaduna State. Additional intelligence further revealed the sightings of these terrorists as they relocated from Alawa Forest in Niger State after their nefarious acts to their stronghold in Malum Forest in Igabi LGA of Kaduna state.”

Gabkwet noted that the battle damage revealed that several of the terrorists were killed as a result of the strike.

He said, “ Consequently, the Air Component planned and executed an Air Interdiction mission on 21 August 24 on the terrorists’ stronghold at Malum Forest. Battle damage assessment and feedback from local sources revealed several of the terrorists were eliminated as a result of the strike.”

Gabkwet also said similar strikes were carried out in the Maradun Local Government Area of Zamafara State.

He said, “Similar strikes were also conducted on terrorists’ hideouts at Bayan Ruwa in Maradun LGA of Zamfara State. The terrorists were tracked to zinced-roofed structures in a vegetated area with few footpaths and a river line Northwest of the location. The targets were then acquired and engaged in successive passes.”

Gabkwet said air raids conducted in the Niger Delta region led to the destruction of several Illegal refining sites and overhead tanks.

He said, “In the Niger Delta Region, patrols conducted by the air component of Operation Delta Safe over Ohaji/Egbema in Imo State and Degema and Cawthorne Channel in Rivers State revealed several Illegal Refining Sites and overhead tanks which were effectively destroyed.

“ In all, over 25 illegal sites were destroyed. In Greenville, Rivers State, a leaking pipeline was observed with the leakage spreading across over 150 metres radius with its attendant negative consequences on the vegetation, aquatic habitats and farmlands.”