Scores of terrorists have been neutralised in Zamfara State after Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets bombed their enclave at Sauri, Tsafe Local Government Area of the state.
The strikes also destroyed terrorists’ critical structures and logistics points, a move that may likely wither the criminals’ operational capability in the area.
This came a day after Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mattawale, announced that the federal government had deployed additional troops and ordered decisive action against armed groups across the state.
According to a statement by NAF’s spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, yesterday, the strikes were conducted on 14 November, after ‘comprehensive intelligence and surveillance operations confirmed significant terrorist activity and rustled livestock concealed in a high-ground hideout used by the criminals as both a defensive position and a logistics hub’.
The statement said the Air Component, acting on the intelligence, executed multiple coordinated strikes on the identified targets, achieving direct hits that dislodged surviving terrorists who attempted to flee into surrounding vegetation but were subsequently tracked and effectively engaged.
‘The successful mission resulted in the neutralisation of numerous terrorists and the destruction of critical structures and logistics points, significantly degrading the criminals’ operational capability in the area’, it said.
The statement said the decisive action by the Air Component against the terrorists reinforced the recent directive of the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, to ‘find them, hunt them down, and protect our people’.
It said the operation also underscored the unwavering resolve of the Joint Task Force and the NAF under the Operation FANSAN YAMMA to ‘deny terrorists safe havens, strengthen security in Zamfara State, and support wider national efforts to restore lasting peace and stability across the North West’.
The Nigerian Army high command yesterday debunked a report by some online platforms of the kidnapping of a Brigade Commander during a terrorists’ ambush on Damboa Road in Borno State.
The Army high command, in a statement through the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Apollonia Anele, yesterday, described the report as ‘fake news’ and urged the public to disregard it in its entirety.
Giving an explanation about the incident that occurred on Friday night, the statement said troops of 25 Task Force Brigade on routine patrol to secure communities around Wajiroko in Azi Multe, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State, came under sudden and heavy insurgent fire while returning from a successful patrol within the fringes of Sambisa Forest.
According to the statement, the patrol team was led by the Commander 25 Brigade, Brigadier-General M. Uba, and comprised troops of 25 Task Force Brigade and members of Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
It said the troops courageously fought through the insurgents’ ambush with superior fire power, forcing them to withdraw in disarray and to abandon their mission.
‘During the encounter, two brave soldiers and two heroic CJTF members paid the supreme price while on active service to the nation’, the statement said.
While commending the troops for their gallantry, the Army high command commiserated with families and associates of the deceased soldiers for their heroic sacrifice to the nation.
‘The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Waidi Shaibu, salutes the uncommon bravery, resilience and sacrifice of the gallant troops who have continued to operate in one of the most dangerous theatres of conflict on behalf of our dear nation.
‘Their unflinching commitment, even in the face of grave danger, remains a powerful reminder of the daily sacrifices being made by our gallant service men and women to keep Nigeria safe’, the statement added.
