The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has neutralised scores of terrorists in a precision air strikes at Metele in the Northern Tumbuns area of the Lake Chad Basin.
This is contained in a statement on Thursday in Abuja by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.
Ejodame said that the operation was conducted in the early hours of Wednesday, following a credible intelligence and subsequent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions which confirmed the presence of a senior terrorist commander, terrorist hideouts, and heightened terrorist activity within the area.
According to him, NAF aircrew observed significant movement of terrorists around concealed structures upon arrival at the location, further validating the intelligence gathered.
He noted that the aircraft subsequently executed devastating strikes on the designated locations leading to the destruction of the terrorists enclave.
Ejodame said post-strike battle damage assessment confirmed that the operation successfully neutralised scores of terrorists and dismantle their hideout.
Reacting to the development, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, commended the personnel involved and reaffirmed the NAF’s commitment to sustaining relentless pressure on terrorist elements.
“We will continue to leverage our airpower capabilities to locate, strike, and destroy terrorist targets wherever they are found,” he said.
Aneke assured that the Nigerian Air Force remains resolute in denying terrorists freedom of action and ensuring they have no safe haven within the nation’s territory.
