27th June, 2023
By Zagazola Makama/Maiduguri
The Nigerian Air Force has inflicted heavy casualties on the ragtag fighters of Islamic State of the West Province(ISWAP), in devastating airstrikes launched Monday
The airstrikes came as the New Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Hassan Abubakar, vowed Nigerian Airforce commitment to reinvigorate the fight against terrorism.
The airstrikes were conducted at a location given as Andakar, Musari and Klabariya in the North East of Marte in Borno State.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert and security analyst in the Lake Chad region that the attacks were conducted following credible intelligence reports indicating that the terrorists, had converged in the areas.
The sources said the terrorists had fled from series of air strikes conducted by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai in Jubularam, Kwalaram and Sabon Tumbu,
The sources said that the attack was preceded by a series of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions which confirmed the heavy presence of terrorists spread across the settlements.
The sources said “as the aircraft arrived overhead the target area, Andakar, many ISWAP members attempted to flee.
Consequently, the aircraft attacked the location, recording a successful direct hit on the target area, leading to the neutralization of many terrorists as well as the destruction of their vehicle and logistics.
The sources added that a Follow-on attacks were further carried out within Musari and Klabariya, with scores of terrorists killed.
In another development, Boko Haram, officially known as Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād, has eliminated a top leader for attempting to form a new faction.
The person eliminated was identified as Amir Jaysh, Abou Hassana.
It was gathered Hassana was eliminated along with three of his accused accomplices in front of other fighters at the Mandara Mountain in Gwoza Local Government.
Sources told Zagazola Makama, a Counter-Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in Lake Chad that Ali Ngulde, the Second most High Ranking Boko Haram Leader, ordered the elimination after they were sentenced to death for their crimes.
According to sources, Abou Hassana was trying to raise an independent faction within Boko Haram to spearhead is own terror campaigns within the Koltafirgi village” also known as Gaizuwa in Sambisa.
He was replaced by Alhaji Ari Hajja Fusam, an indigene of Bama who was leading the Boko Haram terrorists in Gaizuwa before they were dislodged by the Nigerian Military after they suffered heavy losses.
Alhaji Ari Hajja Fusam and Ba’a Issah were promoted to the ranks of Amir Fiye while Bakura Jega, a Former Nakib, was promoted to Khaid.
Muke, a 33 year old Khaid of Mandara Mountain, Ali Ghana, Khaid of Ngauri, located in the North of Banki, Abbah Tukur, and Abu Isa, are to maintain their positions as Khaids.
Ali Ngulde’s Boko Haram group lost many fighters and equipment, following its attack by troops of the Air Component and 202 Task Force Battalion Operation Hadin Kai in Grazah and Wa-Jahode, fringes of the Mandara Mountains.