The air component of Operation Hadin Kai has, in coordinated night airstrikes, annihilated a known terrorists’ command hub on the Mandara Mountains in the Chikide and Degbewa areas of Borno.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Nigerian Air Force on Tuesday.

It said the night operation targeted insurgents’ enclaves deep within the treacherous Mandara Mountains, delivering a crippling blow to the terrorists’ stronghold and disrupting their activities.

NAF said credible intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance data had indicated that the notorious terrorist leader, Ali Ngulde, and his fighters had planned a high-level engagement at the location.

According to NAF, ISR missions over the area confirmed terrorist activity at a key assembly point in Degbewa, alongside the presence of heavily fortified structures equipped with solar-powered installations.

”Following this intelligence, the NAF immediately launched a precision night strike under the cover of darkness, achieving complete surprise.

”The coordinated firepower extensively destroyed the terrorists’ logistics and command centre, igniting large fires that obliterated multiple structures and eliminated scores of terrorists in their hideouts,” the air force said.

It added that the operation against Boko Haram enclaves across the theatre significantly degraded their fighting capability, creating favourable conditions for ground troops to advance and dominate the battlespace.

”The successful execution of this night operation underscores the NAF’s growing dominance in both day and night air power capabilities, proving that insurgents can no longer operate under the cover of darkness.

”Through relentless precision strikes and sustained air operations, the NAF remains committed to utilising its formidable air power to neutralise terrorist networks and restore lasting peace to the region,” the statement explained. 

(NAN)