Emmanuel OchayiThe Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has carried out successful airstrikes on illegal refineries sites and terrorist hideouts in Niger State and the Niger Delta region.
According to a statement by NAF’s Director of Public Relations, Edward Gabkwet, the airstrikes targeted the stronghold of notorious terrorist leader Mallam Umar and other commanders in the Alawa Forest area of Shiroro Local Government Area.
Gabkwet said, “The strikes conducted were sequel to extensive Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance operations in the targeted area, revealing clusters of huts within compounds amidst dense vegetation, with a significant presence of armed terrorists loitering around the vicinity.”
The airstrikes were carried out after intelligence revealed that the terrorists were responsible for recent attacks on ground troops and multiple IED incidents. The Air Component swiftly deployed to eliminate the terrorists, resulting in effective damage to their hideouts and neutralization of several terrorists.
In addition to the strikes in Niger State, the NAF also targeted economic saboteurs in the Niger Delta region, destroying illegal refining sites and boats engaged in crude oil theft. According to Gabkwet, “Similar air strikes were also carried out the same day in the Niger Delta region against economic saboteurs and oil thieves bent on illegally siphoning crude oil from mutilated pipelines while destroying the environment and ecosystems.”
The airstrikes destroyed 18 illegal refining sites and three Cotonou boats. The NAF has been conducting operations to combat terrorism and economic sabotage in the region. In December 2023, a notorious terrorist responsible for several kidnappings and killings was killed in an airstrike.
The airstrikes are a significant blow to the terrorist groups and economic saboteurs operating in the region. The NAF’s efforts are crucial in maintaining peace and stability in Nigeria.
As Gabkwet said, “A post-strike Battle Damage Assessment later confirmed the neutralization of several of the terrorists and the destruction of their hideouts, with positive consequences on their ability to attack surface forces as well as innocent civilians within the area.”
