Fighter jets destroy B/Haram Sambisa hideout

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said its fighter jets destroyed a recently discovered Boko Haram hide out within Sambisa forest in Borno State.

Air Force spokesman, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya in a statement yesterday said on 7 August 2017, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Component of Operation Lafiya Dole conducted an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission over Parisu, in the Sambisa general area.

He added that during the ISR mission, a large group of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) were seen converging under a tree close to a prominent zinc-roofed structure.

He explained that part of the structure was concealed by the foliage of a tree, making it a seemingly unobtrusive gathering point for the terrorists. He said a confirmatory ISR mission indicated that the structure was indeed a BHT hideout, housing a large number of terrorists.

Adesanya said consequently on 8 August 2017, the Air Component detailed fighter aircraft to strike the target in succession.

“Following the first and second strikes, the building was completely destroyed and the location was strafed during the third attack,” he said

He added that, “The fourth attack was redirected to a close by building, where BHT activity was also noticed. Subsequent Battle Damage Assessment revealed that the BHT hideout was completely reduced to rubble and several BHTs were killed, while a few of them were seen evacuating the casualties.”

On December 29, 2016 the military said it had captured Sambisa forest and claimed victory over B/Haram terrorists.