The Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai(OPHK) and the Nigerien Airforce have on April 23rd, carried out air interdiction strikes on terrorists’ hideouts in Damasak and Mobbar LGAs of Borno State.
According to a statement by Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet says the terrorists had attempted to attack troops of Sector 4 of the Multi-National Joint Task Force-MNJTF at Lada, a border town between Niger Republic and Nigeria, and subsequently fled across the border into Nigeria.
The statement explains that the fleeing terrorists who were on eight motorcycles, were later tracked to two locations situated at Zarri village, located about 28km east of Damasak and Mala Alide in Mobbar LGA.
It points out that they were observed hibernating in the village with their motorcycles hidden under trees, and subsequently, airstrikes from the air component and the Nigerien Airforce, under the watchful eye of Niger’s Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance(ISR) aircraft, struck the terrorists’ locations.
Real-time ISR footage later confirmed numerous terrorists were eliminated and several structures within the targeted areas destroyed.
The statement says collaborative efforts of this nature have continued to yield positive outcomes on both sides of the border, and also led to the reduction in terrorism and other forms of cross-border crimes perpetrated by criminals criss-crossing the borders to evade justice.
PR/Usman Sani.
