Airstrikes conducted by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at Bukar Meram in Borno State, have killed several terrorists and destroyed six gun trucks and 40 motorcycles belonging to the criminals, who planned attack on ground troops and innocent Nigerians.
The Director of Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Public Relations and Information, Air Cdre Edward Gabkwet, in a statement said the airstrikes was authorised after intelligence revealed that the location was new abode for terrorists relocating from Suwa to Bukar Meram near the Lake Chad region.
Intelligence further revealed that the relocation of terrorists from Suwa to Bukar Meram general area “was with the likely intent for possible resurgence of attacks on ground troops and innocent civilians.”
Consequently, the airstrikes were authorised at the location in Bukar Meram to decimate the terrorists.
The NAF spokesman said: “feedback received after the strikes revealed the expected outcome was achieved as several terrorists were neutralised while over 40 motorcycles and 6 gun trucks were destroyed, thereby degrading their ability to attack ground troops as well as innocent Nigerians.”
The statement said similar strikes on terrorists were carried out in the early hours of October 11, 2023 by the Air Component of Operation Haradin Daji around Sangeko axis of Maru local government area of Zamfara State.
The air component engaged terrorists, who were in a convoy of about 70 motorcycles on the road track leading from Kabaro towards Sangeko, with several neutralised, their motorcycles destroyed, and others injured.
He said the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, commended the professionalism and dedication of the Air Components in ensuring that terrorists’ ability to move at will, while causing mayhem on innocent, law-abiding citizens, was curtailed to the barest minimum.
The NAF spokesman quoted the CAS as saying that, “Your efforts and support to the ground troops is commendable. Stay focused and do not be complacent as we must continue to give our citizens the confidence they deserve to thrive.”
