By Chimezie Godfrey
The Nigerian Air Force has said it destroyed terrorist hideouts in Abirma and foiled an infiltration attempt by insurgents in Malam Fatori, Borno State.
The NAF, in a statement on Wednesday by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the operation was conducted under Operation HADIN KAI.
According to the statement, the air interdiction mission carried out on March 17 targeted Abirma, described as a terrorist enclave in the Lake Chad region.
The NAF said Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions confirmed the presence of insurgents in the area.
It added that aerial observation revealed movements around concealed structures, after which precision strikes were executed.
“The targets were engaged with precision munitions, resulting in the destruction of multiple terrorist structures,” the statement said.
The NAF added that in a related development, its air assets, working with Nigerian Army troops, neutralised several insurgents during a failed infiltration attempt at Malam Fatori in Abadam Local Government Area on March 18.
It said the operation prevented the insurgents from breaching defensive positions.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, said the force remained committed to protecting lives and denying terrorists freedom of operation.