Military authorities have stated that air strikes by the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch on terrorists’ enclave in Giwa Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State have yielded the desired outcome in the fight against banditry.
This was contained in a statement released in Kaduna yesterday by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet.
According to him, the strikes, carried out between May 30 and May 31, 2024, were executed at the stronghold of the infamous terrorist, Buharinyadi, situated in the Bula Forest area in Giwa LGA of Kaduna State.
He said: “The strikes were prompted by painstaking Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (IRS) operations conducted in the targeted vicinity where several clusters of thatched roofed huts within compounds were observed amid thick vegetation.”
The surveillance also confirmed a substantial presence of armed terrorists loitering around the huts and over 13 motorcycles seen tucked under a large umbrella tree, the statement added.
The NAF spokesman noted that targeted exploitation of multiple sources revealed that the terrorists at the location were responsible for most of the attacks and kidnappings in several communities within Birnin Gwari, Igabi, and Giwa LGAs.
“Accordingly, the Air Component dispatched its available air assets to strike the location. Overhead the location, scores of the terrorists were sighted and subsequently struck, bringing effective and maximum damage on the targets and their equipment.”
Stressing further, Gabkwet explained that following a tip that some of the surviving terrorists had relocated 500 metres west of the interdicted location, “a follow-up strike was immediately conducted, with a post-strike Battle Damage Assessment revealing the neutralisation of several terrorists and their hideouts engulfed in flames.”
“Similar air strikes were also carried out by the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji in Northwest Nigeria on June 2, 2024, after intelligence revealed the location of terrorists’ kingpin Alhaji Iliya and his cohorts at Zango Hill in Kankara LGA of Katsina State.”
“The location was also observed to be having a cluster of huts and zinc-roofed structures with multiple human and livestock movements.”
“Accordingly, air interdiction was authorised and conducted over the location to decimate the terrorists and destroy their weapons and mobility. After the strike, Battle Damage Assessment footage and feedback received revealed that the strikes were successful as several terrorists were eliminated and their structures engulfed in flames,” the statement added.
“The NAF, in collaboration with surface forces, will continue to sustain domination of the battlespace through extensive situational awareness, constant patrols, and targeted interdiction of terrorists’ safe havens within its various Areas of Responsibility. Still, a whole of society approach remains a key factor in the ongoing efforts to minimise the threats posed by criminal elements,” it stressed further.
