From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said its Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji bombarded terrorists’ hideouts at the Gidan Kare village of Ruwan Godiya ward in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, killing over 80 terrorists.
The terrorists, numbering over 100, were reported to have attacked a settlement about five kilometres away from Gidan Kare village, where they burnt several houses.
NAF Director, Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, who made the disclosure, said the operation led to the destruction of 45 motorcycles.
Gabkwet, in a statement, said the strikes became necessary following intelligence that terrorists numbering over 100 were reported to have burnt houses at a settlement about 5 kilometres away from Gidan Kare village. Overhead the village, at about 8.30pm, several houses were observed to be on fire with the entire village in pandemonium. Moments later, 12 motor cycles were seen departing the village and trailed along a footpath out of the village to a location near Gidan Kare village and Kuka Shidda Camp, where they joined up with a large number of their cohorts. Other terrorists were also observed arriving at the location from different directions, an indication that the location was a massing up point with the terrorists likely planning to further attack nearby villages.
Having been presented with such a rare opportunity, authorisation was sought, obtained and the location was immediately struck at exactly 9:40pm, with over 80 terrorists confirmed eliminated and about 45 motorcycles burnt down, while few surviving terrorists were observed fleeing or limping off. Further intelligence received after the strike also revealed that the terrorists were closely linked with notorious terrorists kingpin Yusuf Yellow and his close associate, Rabe Imani. These strikes, along with others before now, have no doubt disrupted terrorist activities in the area.
Meanwhile, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has commended the efforts of the air component as well as other security agencies in diminishing the capabilities of terrorist elements in the Northwest. He made the disclosure earlier yesterday, when he fête the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji at 213 Forward Operating Base, Katsina.
CAS said: “As we continue the fight against insurgency and banditry bedevilling our dear nation, I want to commend and appreciate your resoluteness and gallantry.”
He also stated that the successes by the Air Component, Operation Hadarin Daji, in synergy with other security agencies, has continued to contribute to security within the region. He then urged them not to relent in their efforts and dedication to the fight against terrorism and all forms of criminality in Nigeria.
Earlier, Marshal Abubakar had commissioned some airfield facilities such as the new taxiway link, operations and engineering building, and the new sports complex. Specifically, the airfield facilities commissioned will no doubt ensure air operations, especially within the Northwest.