In recent airstrikes conducted by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in Borno and Niger, the Air Components of Operations Hadin Kai and Whirl Punch have successfully eliminated several terrorists, as reported by AVM Edward Gabkwet, the Director of Public Relations and Information for NAF.
The ongoing efforts of the air components have significantly disrupted the activities of terrorists, destroying their infrastructure, equipment, and ability to launch attacks on both military personnel and civilians.
Air interdiction missions were carried out on May 3 in Chinene, located in the Mandara mountain region of the North East, where seven gun trucks were spotted parked under trees. The airstrikes targeted these vehicles and other terrorist hideouts in the area, resulting in the neutralization of several terrorists and the destruction of their supplies.
Similarly, on the same day, preemptive airstrikes were conducted in Allawa village near Shiroro town in Niger by the air component of Operation Whirl Punch. These strikes were based on credible intelligence indicating the presence of terrorists who had taken refuge in the village after the residents had fled for safety concerns.
Following the terrorists’ attacks on Allawa village and Galapai village in Shiroro, the NAF deployed its aircraft to engage and disperse the armed groups. Additionally, aerial surveillance revealed an arms cache hidden within Allawa Forest, prompting further airstrikes to neutralize the threat.
Furthermore, the NAF executed airstrikes north of Arugbana and Temakiri in the Niger Delta to target and destroy illegal refining sites, thereby reducing the ability of oil thieves to vandalize pipelines and disrupt oil operations in the region.