NAF airstrikes kill terrorists in Mandara Mountains

Bandits kill three Zamfara security operatives

EFrom FFORTS by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai ( OPHK) in the North East and Operation Whirl Punch ( OPWP) in the North Central have continued to wipe out terrorists and destroy their structures, equipment and mobility, thus limiting their ability to attack ground troops and innocent Nigerians at will.

In another development, bandits have killed three officials of the Zamfara Stateowned Community Protection Guards ( CPGS).

At Chinene, a location tucked inside the Mandara Mountains, terrorists were, on May 3, 2024, observed to be emanating from various locations and assembling, probably for a meeting.

According to NAF spokesman, AVM Edward Gabkwet, within the same location, seven gun trucks were also seen packed under trees.

So, air interdiction was authorised and conducted over the assembly area and tree coverings to decimate the terrorists and destroy their weapons and mobility. "After the strike, Battle Damage Assessment footages revealed that the strikes were successful, as several terrorists were neutralised and logistics destro yed. Similar airstrikes were conducted the same day when the air component of OPWP conducted pre- emptive air strikes over terrorists hibernating in Allawa village, near Shiroro in Niger State.

“The mission was conducted following credible intelligence, which had revealed the migration of terrorists into the village after the mass exit of locals for fear of their safety. These terrorists had, on May 1, 2024, stormed the deserted Allawa Community in Shiroro Local Council and torched the Central Primary School,” he stated.

ZAGAZOLA Makama, a counter- insurgency expert and security analyst in Lake Chad, disclosed that the CPGS were ambushed and killed in the Jambako area of Maradun Local Council. In a post on his X on Sunday, Makama said a source, identified as Sanusi Muhammad, narrated that the bandits ambushed the CPG officials at Tungar Nayarciga on their way to Faru town, adding that the bandits also made away with their weapons and bikes.

He said: “Three officials of the Zamfara State- owned CPGS have been ambushed and killed at Jambako area of Maradun.”

PHOTO: NAN Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia( left); Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Malagi ( chairman of the occasion); President, Nigeria Union of Journalists ( NUJ), Dr Chris Isiguzo ( host) and others at NUJ’S Press Freedom and Good Governance Award 2024, in Abuja … at the weekend.