The Nigerian Air Force has stepped up its counterterrorism campaign in the North-East, launching coordinated air strikes on suspected terrorist enclaves in parts of Borno and Adamawa states.
The latest offensive, carried out on May 19, targeted Bukar Meram in the Southern Tumbuns area and Chikide in the Mandara Mountains under the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI.
According to the NAF, the strikes were executed after intelligence reports and follow-up Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance operations confirmed the presence of terrorist logistics bases, hideouts and gathering points within the affected locations.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed that several insurgents were neutralised during the operation, while planned attacks by the terrorist groups were successfully thwarted.
The statement further noted that the bombardments destroyed key logistics facilities and operational structures being used by the terrorists to coordinate activities in the region.
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Reacting to the development, the Chief of the Air Staff, Sunday Kelvin Aneke, reiterated the Air Force’s resolve to sustain joint military operations aimed at eliminating terrorism and restoring stability across the country.
“The Nigerian Air Force remains committed to sustaining coordinated joint operations with sister Services and allied partners to eliminate terrorism and restore peace across the country,” he stated.
Aneke also assured that intelligence-led air offensives would continue against terrorist hideouts and operational networks across troubled regions of the country.
“Intelligence-driven air operations will continue to identify and destroy terrorist hideouts, logistics networks and operational bases wherever they exist,” he added.