Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter aircraft has killed several Boko Haram terrorists who were poised to interfere with ongoing operations in the Sambisa general area. According to the report gathered by EYES OF LAGOS source revealed, how the NAF fighter aircraft bombarded the insurgents in the Bambisa area. A statement issued by the NAF’s director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, said NAF’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform had sighted several Boko Haram members on vehicles and gun trucks, which were carefully concealed in a forested area. “Consequently, three NAF fighter aircraft were detailed to provide close air support to our surface forces, which also engaged the insurgents. “The fighter aircraft launched a bomb attack on the insurgents’ defensive positions while another wave of bomb attacks was launched at the insurgents’ gun trucks and vehicles, causing one of them to go up in flames,” the statement said. Adesanya said one of the aircraft strafed a Boko Haram vehicle with rockets, destroying the gun truck in the process. “The NAF aircraft destroyed not only the vehicles but also the workshop previously used by the insurgents to repair and retrofit their vehicles and equipment,” the statement added. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has alerted the residents of the north-eastern states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe to watch out for wounded Boko Haram terrorists fleeing the onslaught from the Operation Deep Punch ll launched against the insurgents in Sambisa Forest and other parts of northern Borno which had recorded success. The Army gave this warning yesterday in a statement issued to newsmen in Maiduguri by its spokesman, Brig Gen Sani Usman. The Army added that during the onslaught, the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole involved in the operation killed seven terrorists, wounded several others and recovered several caches of ammunition. It, however, noted that two soldiers, who were wounded in action, had been evacuated by NAF and were responding to treatment. Usman said: “Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole involved in Operation Deep Punch II have continued to deal decisively with remnants of Boko Haram terrorists hibernating in Sambisa Forest and other parts of northern Borno State with tremendous success. “On Friday, January 26, 2018 afternoon, the troops with effective support from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) had contact with the terrorists while advancing into Sambisa Forest. During the encounter and further exploitation, the troops destroyed Boko Haram terrorists’ equipment, make-shift accommodation around Camp Zairo, Improvised Explosives Device (IEDs), booby traps, and other delaying obstacles and devices. “The troops also neutralised seven Boko Haram terrorists and wounded several others. In addition, the gallant troops recovered 1 gun truck, 1 anti-aircraft gun, 1 machine gun, a pistol, large quantity of anti-aircraft gun ammunition, a 120mm mortar base plate and a dane gun.” According to him, the trrops also destroyed 11 gun trucks, 12 Hilux vehicles, 3 canter trucks, 2 double barrel rifles, 30 bicycles, power generating sets, cylinders, printers, military kits and an IED making workshop. “Impressed with the unprecedented performance, the Commander Sector 1 Operation, Lafiya Dole, who is also the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division, Major General IM Yusuf, has visited the troops harbour location. “He conveyed the Chief of Army Staff’s and Theatre Commander’s commendations to the troops for the wonderful job of annihilating the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists inside Sambisa Forest and encouraged them to sustain the tempo of the offensive until they have eliminated all the Boko Haram terrorists wherever they might be hibernating,” Usman said. He noted that the GOC, who was flown by Nigerian Air Force, was accompanied by the Commander, 26 Task Force Brigade, Brigadier General I.M. Obot, and had meeting with the various field commanders. According to him, the successes recorded have boosted the morale of the troops who expressed enthusiasm in sustaining the onslaught against the terrorists, even as he warned residents of the areas to be on the watch out for fleeing terrorists. “The people of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states are requested to report any fleeing Boko Haram terrorist seen around their communities. They should also look out for the wounded terrorists and report to the nearest military or Nigeria Police Force location,” Brig Gen Usman said.
