Air raids by NAF wipe out extremist stronghold in Lake Chad area, result in heavy casualties

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The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has intensified its air offensive under Operation HADIN KAI, destroying a major terrorist enclave in Kangarwa, located in the Northern Tumbuns area of Borno.

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The Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, made this known in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

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Ejodame said the airstrike, conducted at about 1205 hours on April 1 by the Air Component of the Joint Task Force North East, followed credible intelligence and sustained surveillance confirming the presence of terrorists in the area.

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He said the targeted enclave had been under close monitoring through intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, which revealed significant activity and movement within the settlement.

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According to him, NAF air assets executed precision strike missions upon confirmation of the targets, delivering multiple attack runs on structures and concealed targets used by the insurgents.

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He said the strikes, described as highly effective, led to the destruction of key infrastructure, including logistics hubs and operational shelters within the enclave.

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“Scores of fighters were neutralised during the bombardment, significantly degrading the operational capability of the enclave and disrupting insurgent movement in the area.

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“The successful air interdiction is expected to create favourable conditions for ground troops to advance, dominate the area and carry out follow-on clearance operations,” he said.

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Ejodame said the operation underscored the growing synergy between air and ground forces in the ongoing counter-insurgency campaign in the North-East.

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It added that the enclave, believed to be a stronghold of ISWAP elements, suffered a major setback, with its command and support structures effectively dismantled.

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The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, reaffirmed the NAF’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven precision strikes against terrorist hideouts across the theatre.

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Aneke said the air force would continue to work in close coordination with surface forces to deny terrorists freedom of action and eliminate all remaining enclaves.

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He emphasised that the sustained air campaign remained critical to restoring lasting peace and security in the region. (NAN)

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