By Chimezie Godfrey
The Nigerian Air Force has destroyed a terrorist enclave and neutralised scores of insurgents during a precision airstrike operation in the Lake Chad Basin.
The operation, carried out by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI in the early hours of June 10, targeted METELE in the Northern Tumbuns area following intelligence reports of terrorist activities.
In a statement on Thursday, the Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said credible intelligence and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions confirmed the presence of a senior terrorist commander and several terrorist hideouts in the area.
Ejodame said NAF aircraft subsequently engaged the targets after observing significant movement of suspected terrorists around concealed structures.
“Acting on the intelligence, NAF air assets engaged the identified targets with precision,” he stated.
According to the statement, the strikes were launched after positive identification of the targets, resulting in extensive damage to terrorist facilities.
The Air Force added that post-strike Battle Damage Assessment confirmed the destruction of the enclave and the neutralisation of scores of terrorists.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, commended the personnel involved in the operation and reaffirmed the service’s commitment to sustaining pressure on terrorist groups.
“We will continue to leverage our air power capabilities to locate, strike, and destroy terrorist targets wherever they are found. The Nigerian Air Force remains resolute in denying terrorists freedom of action and ensuring they have no safe haven within our sovereign territory,” Aneke said.
The latest strike highlights the military’s continuing air campaign aimed at degrading terrorist networks operating within the Lake Chad Basin and surrounding areas.
Lake Chad Basin Offensive: NAF Destroys Terrorists Base, Eliminates Scores
