By Linus Aleke, Abuja
The Nigerien Air Force, and Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), in collaboration with the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), killed no fewer than 16 fleeing terrorists at Damasak and Mobbar Local Government Areas (LGA) of Borno State, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), has said.
Signed by Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, the NAF said that the terrorists who fled from the superior firepower of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), in Niger, were tracked to two local government areas in Borno state.
Gabkwet said: “In line with its collaborative efforts with the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) and the Nigerien Air Force, on 23 April 2024, carried out air interdiction strikes on terrorists’ hideouts in Damasak and Mobbar Local Government Areas (LGA) of Borno State. The terrorists had attempted to attack troops of Sector 4 of the MNJTF at Lada, a border town between Niger Republic and Nigeria, and subsequently fled across the border into Nigeria. The fleeing terrorists who were on eight motorcycles were later tracked to two locations situated at Zarri village, located about 28 km east of Damasak and Mala Alide in Mobbar LGA of Borno State. They were observed hibernating in the villages with their motorcycles hidden under trees.
“Subsequently, airstrikes from the Air Component of OPHK and Nigerien Air Force, under the watchful eye of Niger’s Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft, struck the terrorists’ locations. Real-time ISR footage later confirmed numerous terrorists were eliminated and several structures within the targeted areas destroyed”.
The NAF said that collaborative efforts of this nature have continued to yield positive outcomes on both sides of the border.
Gabkwet concluded that such synergy has also led to the reduction in terrorism and other forms of cross-border crimes perpetrated by criminals criss-crossing the borders to evade justice.
