Army deals massive blow as fresh airstrikes hit over 200 terrorists

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have killed several terrorists and disrupted bandit movements in Niger and Kaduna states.

The Nigerian Army said the operations were carried out by the Air Component of the task force on June 29 following credible intelligence on terrorist and bandit activities within the joint operations area.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Army said the air operations dealt a major blow to terrorist elements and denied them freedom of movement.

According to the statement, the first operation was carried out in the Dogon Dawa axis of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

The Army said intelligence reports, supported by human sources, indicated that more than 200 suspected terrorists had converged on motorcycles in the area.

Aerial surveillance later confirmed the movement of armed terrorists in groups before a large concentration of motorcycles was spotted at a suspected refuelling point.

“Acting on credible intelligence, corroborated by human intelligence sources, indicating the convergence of over 200 suspected terrorists on motorcycles in the Dogon Dawa axis of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, the Air Component executed a precision airstrike against the terrorists,” the statement said.

The Army said a battle damage assessment confirmed that several terrorists were killed in the strike.

It added that others were seen fleeing with injuries towards the Kurugin Maidawa axis.

According to the military, the strike significantly disrupted the terrorists’ activities, degraded their operational capability and prevented them from regrouping for further attacks.

In a separate operation in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, the Air Component also disrupted the movement of suspected bandits.

The Army said the armed reconnaissance mission followed intelligence that bandits were mobilising to launch reprisal attacks against troops after recent clearance operations in the Womba general area.

According to the statement, the Air Component intercepted three motorcycles carrying suspected bandits moving towards Kamuku Forest.

The Army said the suspects attempted to evade detection after sighting the aircraft, but their movement was successfully disrupted.

It added that follow-up reconnaissance, carried out in close coordination with ground troops, showed no further suspicious activity in the area.

The Army said the operations showed the effectiveness of coordinated air and ground offensives in sustaining pressure on terrorist and bandit networks across the North-West.

“The Theatre Commander commends the professionalism and synergy displayed by the Air and Land Components and reassures the public that Operation FANSAN YAMMA will continue to sustain offensive operations until all terrorist and bandit enclaves are dismantled and lasting peace and security are restored across the theatre,” the statement added.