Following an ambush on a team of security operatives on a patrol exercise by armed bandits in Niger State, a Nigeria Air Force (NAF) jet has bombed the terrorists in retaliation.
This is just as a wanted terror kingpin, Ali Kawaje, alias Ali Kachalla, was suspected to have been eliminated after the airstrikes near Mangoro in Munya local government area of Niger State.
According to a news dissemination platform, PRNigeria, which obtained information from a defence intelligence source, Ali Kachalla had attacked a detachment of security operatives deployed at Mangoro Community.
The military intelligence source said that when alerted, NAF aircraft under Operation Whirl Punch swiftly responded to support the troops in distress.
“Overhead the location, Kachalla and his foot soldiers were sighted withdrawing from the location of security operatives on several motorcycles, but unknown to them, they were being trailed to their hideout near Kopa Hills where they took cover under a thick tree covering.
“It was at this point that the airstrikes were authorised, which were decisive and swift, thereby ensuring effective and maximum damage on the terrorists,” the source stated.
Meanwhile, it was gathered that more than 50 terrorists were eliminated during the series of airstrikes, including the terrorist kingpin, Ali Kachalla.
PRNigeria reports that the fate of another terrorist leader, Dogo Gide, was unknown as he was sighted in the axis recently.
When contacted, the NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, however, declined comment on the airstrikes, noting that he was yet to receive any brief about the operation.
LEADERSHIP reports that the airstrikes come barely 24 hours after the NAF confirmed the elimination of another deadly terrorist kingpin, Yellow Jambros.
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