Five terrorist commanders and 35 fighters have been killed in an airstrike by the Nigerian Air Force in Arina, Southern Tumbuns of Borno.
NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, said the fighters and their commanders were killed by the air component of Operation Hadin Kai on August 16, 2024.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, Gabkwet said the terrorist commanders killed in the air strikes include Munzir Arika, Sani Dilla (a.k.a Dan Hausawan Jubillaram), Ameer Modu, Dan Fulani Fari Fari, and Bakoura Arina Chiki.
According to him, the air interdiction was a decisive effort to weaken the activities of remnants of terrorists operating in the North East while ensuring the safety of civilians and Nigerian troops.
He also stated that intelligence had revealed the clandestine migration of terrorists into the area from neighbouring locations before the mission.
His words, “Confirmatory Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions were further conducted on August 12 and 15, 2024, identified numerous terrorists and active structures concealed under trees.
“Consequently, coordinated airstrikes were launched over the location, and the targets successfully engaged, resulting in the neutralization of several terrorists and the destruction of their structures.
“Battle Damage Assessment after the strikes revealed that equipment, vehicles, water vessels and a suspected medical dispensary were obliterated by the strikes.
“Additionally, credible intelligence further revealed that five key terrorist leaders were either killed or severely injured in the strike,” Gabkwet said.
