Nigerian Air Force Airstrikes Eliminate Over 40 Terrorists, Disrupt Attacks

Airstrikes by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) have killed over 40 terrorists at Musarram in the Tumbuns general area and along the Azir axis of Borno State. According to a statement on Sunday by the NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the strikes were carried out on Thursday, January 25, and Friday, January 16, following credible intelligence that terrorists were assembling in canoes with plans to launch attacks along the Baga and Fish Dam axis. Ejodame said that when the surveillance aircraft sighted approximately 10 canoes and over 40 suspected terrorists at the location. He said, “The terrorists were engaged in three successive passes, forcing them into disarray. Some fleeing elements were trailed to nearby tree cover and subsequently engaged, while additional survivors who regrouped at an assembly area were equally acquired and neutralised using available mission stores. “Feedback from ground forces and local communities later confirmed that the operation effectively dismantled the terrorist concentration and disrupted their planned attacks.” Read Also: Rivers CJ receives Assembly’s letters, pileof documents against Fubara The NAF spokesperson added that airstrikes also conducted strikes on Friday, January 16, killing several terrorists along Azir and Musarram areas. He said the NAF aircraft operating under the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI, responded to a situation involving hostile terrorist actions at Azir. According to him, acting on a real-time situation report, the aircrew arrived overhead, where friendly forces were observed engaging terrorists withdrawing from the area. Ejodame said further scans revealed terrorist elements attempting to regroup and take cover under nearby trees. He said, “The NAF aircraft promptly acquired and engaged the targets in successive, well-coordinated passes, resulting in the neutralisation of several terrorists. “A post-engagement assessment confirmed no further threats in the area. Subsequent reports from ground troops, corroborated by local authorities and community sources, confirmed the devastating impact of the air strikes on the terrorists and the restoration of relative calm in the area.” The NAF’s spokesperson said that the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, while reacting to the troops’ successes, reaffirmed the NAF’s unwavering resolve to provide prompt and effective air support to ground forces. “These operations highlight the Nigerian Air Force’s readiness to respond decisively whenever our troops are in contact. “Through effective intelligence utilisation and close coordination with ground forces, we will continue to deny terrorists the ability to regroup, manoeuvre, or carry out attacks,” Ejodame reportedly said.