In a significant blow to insurgent activities, the Defence Headquarters has reported that the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai successfully neutralized three notorious commanders—Abacha, Bakura, and Babangida—as well as 22 other jihadists in an airstrike conducted in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, the airstrike was executed on February 19 after the terrorists were tracked to a remote village at Arinna Woje. Following the strike, the bodies of the three commanders and 22 other jihadists were recovered the next day.
In addition to the operation in Borno, the air component of Operation Hadarin Daji also targeted terrorists who had hijacked two articulated vehicles along the Gurbin Baure-Jibia road on February 20. The terrorists diverted the vehicles and drivers to a forest feeder road at Dogon Karfe location in Katsina State. The strike led to the escape of the drivers and other victims, while some of the foodstuff was salvaged.
Further airstrikes were conducted on February 21 at Rugar Gamji and an abandoned primary school near Gidan Gwanki in Katsina, resulting in the destruction and neutralization of about 30 terrorists along with their motorcycles. Additionally, seven motorcycle-riding terrorists were neutralized at Gidan Guga in Katsina on the same day.
On February 24, an air interdiction mission targeted Tsora Hill in Safana Local Government Area of Katsina, resulting in the neutralization of over 20 terrorists.
In a separate operation, the air component of Operation Delta Safe eliminated a notorious kidnap kingpin known as David Okpolowu, widely recognized as “2 Baba,” in an airstrike in Ahoada Forest in Rivers State. Okpolowu had been terrorizing the state and neighboring areas, and the airstrike was conducted as part of joint operations with the Nigerian Police in Port Harcourt.
These successful operations underscore the continued commitment of the Nigerian armed forces to combatting insurgency and securing the nation’s territories.
