The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said coordinated airstrikes and intelligence-led operations by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the Nigerian Army neutralised 103 terrorists and destroyed several logistics hubs and storage facilities in the North East between October 10 and 18.
The military said the operations targeted Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters leadership structures and logistics networks in Borno and Adamawa states.
In a statement issued on Tuesday through the military information officer of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) Capt. Mohammed Goni the DHQ said the sustained air campaign involved seven strikes against terrorist targets during the period.
Goni said the Air Component recorded a major success on October 18 when it conducted a precision strike on the alternative residence of Abu Saleem the ISWAP Wali of South Lake Chad in the Arina Woje area of Monguno Local Government Area (LGA) Borno State.
He said intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance activities underpinned the operation while subsequent human intelligence confirmed the killing of Jindullah a prominent ISWAP fighter who reportedly served as Abu Saleem’s chief security guard.
The military also confirmed the killing of Abul Kissa a member of the group’s Shura Council alongside other prominent fighters at the targeted location.
‘The strike completely destroyed the targeted structure and key logistics assets including nine boat engines and several motorcycles stored within the premises’ Goni said.
He added that the operation disrupted the terrorists’ concealment arrangements in the forested area further undermining their ability to use the location as a safe haven.
Another major operation was conducted on October 13 when a Guardian air asset tracked a group of 16 terrorists from the Mairari axis to a gathering of more than 100 fighters accompanied by several motorcycles.
According to Goni the gathering was located approximately 23 kilometres east of Badu and 19 kilometres west of Monguno.
He said a subsequent precision strike resulted in the assessed neutralisation of about 30 terrorists although the extent of damage to the motorcycles could not be confirmed.
Other strikes during the period targeted terrorist elements and facilities around Gudumbali in Guzamala LGA Badu in Monguno LGA Mairari in Guzamala LGA and Duste Uku in Gombi LGA of Adamawa State.
Goni said the strikes occurred on October 10 11 13 and 16 alongside the October 18 operation against Abu Saleem’s alternative residence.
‘Collectively the seven strikes reportedly neutralised 103 terrorists and destroyed several logistics hubs and storage facilities significantly disrupting the group’s operational capabilities and its capacity to sustain its activities’ he said.
He said the operations demonstrated the effectiveness of coordinated intelligence-led air campaigns in degrading terrorist capabilities disrupting command structures and dismantling critical logistics networks.
‘Through continued synergy among Nigerian Army Aviation NARPARS the Air Component and ground forces OPHK remains resolute in maintaining operational momentum denying terrorists safe havens and advancing efforts to restore lasting peace and security across the Northeast’ Goni said.