How enhanced synergy is aiding operations – DOPRI
Chuks Oyema-Aziken
Nigerian Air Force aircrafts have eliminated several terrorists in their enclave in Sambisa Forest and the Tumbuns in Borno State.
In another operation, air strikes were undertaken in the Tunbuns near Lake Chad after suspected terrorists’ activities were observed in the area believed to be a training camp.
NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet attributed the massive successes to the synergy among the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) and other security agencies.
He said the enhanced synergy remained a critical factor in the counterterrorism and counterinsurgency strategies and efforts currently ongoing in the various theatres of operation nationwide.
According to the DOPRI, “Indeed as recent as yesterday, 20 August 2022, NAF aircraft under the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI carried out some strikes on terrorists enclave in Sambisa Forest and the Tumbuns in Borno State with varying degrees of success recorded.
“Acting on credible and actionable intelligence, NAF aircraft were directed to an active location in Sambisa Forest believed to be the enclave of notorious terrorist, Fiya Ba Yuram. Fiya Ba Yuram is the current ISWAP leader of Sambisa Forest who took over the leadership following the demise of Abubakar Shekau.
He said that the title ‘Fiya’ connotes the most senior position in the terrorist’s military leadership structure. Note also that Yuram was an ally of Shekau until his demise after which he switched allegiance to ISWAP.
“On arrival, the location was observed to be active with terrorists seen gathering. Air strikes were then authorized and carried out on the location. An assessment of the location after the strikes revealed it to be successful, though it remained unconfirmed if Fiya Ba Yuram was among the terrorists neutralized in the strikes.
On the the strikes on Tunbuns near Lake Chad, he said, “the targets were subsequently acquired and engulfed in flames all after. The aftermath of the airstrike revealed that pandemonium broke out as the remnant of surviving terrorists took cover under nearby trees which were later struck by the aircraft.
“Eventhough it remained uncertain and unclear if Fiya Ba Yuram was among the terrorists neutralized in the weekend strikes, the efforts of military must be commended.
“The ability of the AFN and other security agencies to pick out key terrorist targets for elimination, alongside their foot soldiers is also indicative of the credibility of the intelligence provided.
He appealed to Nigerians to rally round and support the AFN and other security agencies remains a key motivator towards reducing, to the barest minimum, the threats posed by the activities of terrorists and insurgents.
When contacted, the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet confirmed the strikes stating that, ‘Yes strikes were carried out on some specific targets in the Tunbuns and Sambisa with varying degrees of successes recorded.
“The NAF won’t however be drawn into the details of those neutralized,” the DOPRI added.
