The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) High Command announced on Thursday that the air strikes carried out by the air component of Operation Hadarin Daji on terrorists’ enclaves in Safana Local Government of Katsina State have yielded positive results, with scores of them neutralised.
This information was conveyed in a statement released to Defence Correspondents in Abuja by the Spokesperson of the Service, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet.
The statement explained that the airstrikes, conducted on 5th March this year, targeted the stronghold of the infamous terrorist leader, Maudi Maudi, and several other terrorist kingpins located south of Tsaskiya in Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State.
It highlighted that the airstrikes were based on meticulous Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance operations carried out in the targeted vicinity, where clusters of huts were observed amid rocky terrain.
The surveillance also confirmed a significant presence of armed terrorists among the huts, leading to the authorization to strike.
According to it, “A post-strike Battle Damage Assessment revealed the targeted location engulfed in flames, with a few survivors observed fleeing to safety.
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It however pointed out that, “Though several terrorists were eliminated, it remains unconfirmed if Maudi Maudi was among those neutralised.
The statement added that similar strikes were also carried out on 6 March 2024 at the stronghold of notorious terrorist kingpin, Alhaji Na-Shama, situated to the East of Ussu village within the Nasarawar Mailayi District in the Birnin Magaji LGA of Zamfara State.
According to it, “reliable human intelligence has confirmed the neutralisation of several of Na-Shama’s associates and the total obliteration of his camp and logistics. It is yet to be confirmed if Na-Shama was among the victims.
“The precision strikes by NAF aircraft have continued to give the expected outcomes with the elimination of several terrorists and the destruction of their means of mobility.
“These efforts served to protect civilian lives as well as disrupt their logistics support bases and motorcycles.
“This proactive approach aligns with the mission objectives of Operation Hadarin Daji, which majorly focuses on securing the Northwestern region of Nigeria from the menace of terrorism, kidnapping and banditry”.
TheWitness
