Airstrike operation in the Tumbuns area near Lake Chad in Borno State have killed over 30 of their fighters within Kolleram village along the shores of Lake Chad, the Nigerian Air Force announced on Thursday.
Persistent rainfall in the area that flooded their hideouts, forced the terrorists to relocate to higher and drier ground and exposing them, aided the successful execution of the operation.
According to the NAF spokesperson, AVM Edward Gabkwet, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance missions were conducted by the Nigerian Air Force over the location on 22nd, 24th, and 26th August 2024.
He also stated that the missions revealed several terrorists, along with some of their salvaged belongings, concealed within four makeshift shelters, some of which were hidden under trees and dense vegetation.
His words: “In a major blow to the remnants of terrorists hiding in the Tumbuns near Lake Chad, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai successfully conducted an air interdiction mission at Jubillaram, in southern Tumbuns.
“The operation was made possible following the forced migration of remaining terrorists to higher and drier ground after their enclaves became flooded and exposed due to persistent rainfall in the area in recent days.
“To confirm this, the NAF conducted Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance missions over the location on 22nd, 24th, and 26th August 2024, which revealed several terrorists with some of their salvaged belongings tucked within four makeshift shelters, some concealed under trees and thick vegetation.”
“Consequently, precision airstrikes were authorised on the selected target areas, engaging and destroying most of the structures. A thick black smoke from one of the destroyed structures indicated a storage area, likely designated as an armoury or logistics storage area. Several terrorists were also neutralised in the process.
“The success of this operation is a testament to the NAF’s commitment to achieving its mandate and protecting the nation from terrorist threats. The excess rainfall and swampy terrain may have inadvertently pushed the terrorists out of hiding, but it was the swift and decisive action of the NAF that took advantage of the situation to strike a significant blow against them.
“It is also important to note that striking at the heart of terrorists’ enclaves in Maiduguri significantly destabilises their centre of gravity and diminishes their capacity to cause mayhem, especially targeting civilians. These enclaves also serve as feeders to other terrorist cells operating within the region.”
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