Airborne operations targeting known terrorist hideouts and encampments in Borno State, located in Northeastern Nigeria, continued over the weekend without respite.
In an official statement, Director of Public Relations and Information Nigerian Air Force Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet said these actions were in response to actionable intelligence received from the Land Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) on October 29, 2023, indicating the presence of approximately 22 terrorists, equipped with a gun truck and two motorcycles, in close proximity to the town of Marte.
He said upon receiving this vital information, the Nigerian Air Force swiftly mobilized aircraft belonging to the Air Component of OPHK to intercept and neutralize the aforementioned threat.
Gabkwet said following aerial reconnaissance, the terrorists were located approximately 22 kilometers to the west of Marte, heading in a northerly direction towards Munguno. Subsequently, a pursuit ensued, lasting approximately 70 minutes, during which the terrorists came to a halt beneath a tree, presumably to refuel or evade detection.
He said with swift precision, the hostile elements were engaged by the Nigerian Air Force, resulting in a tremendous conflagration that engulfed the area. The gun truck and motorcycles were rendered inoperable, and no signs of subsequent movement were observed.
Gabkwet said this substantial explosion suggests that the location where the terrorists took cover may have served as a logistical base or that their vehicle was transporting weaponry or explosive ordnance.
He added that the terrorists’ futile attempts to evade detection and the formidable firepower demonstrated by the Land and Air Components of Operation Hadin Kai reveal their inability to secure territory and present a credible threat to military installations or vulnerable civilian targets at will. Gabkwet said their conduct continues to betray desperation and a lack of operational capability.
Moreover, on October 28, 2023, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, speaking to State House correspondents, affirmed that the security situation in Borno State has ameliorated by more than 85 percent, accompanied by a resurgence of economic activities.
This progress underscores the effectiveness of the strategies employed by the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies. Governor Zulum lauded the Service Chiefs for their tireless efforts, stating, “As the Chief Security Officer of Borno State, we are making significant headway in terms of security, with marked improvements in our security landscape.”
