By FOLUSHO ALADE, ABUJA
Air strikes from the air components of Operation Hadarin Daji operating in the North-West has neutralized scores of terrorists in the Birnin Kogo and Dunya forests area of Katsina State according to the Defence Media Operations(DMO) of the Defence headquarters in Abuja.
The report also said terrorists’ camps and operating bases were destroyed.
A press release signed by MAJ GEN JOHN ENENCHE, Coordinator, Defence Media Operations said the air raids were conducted the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets and helicopter gunships on the 23rd and 24th of November 2020 after intelligence reports indicating that the two camps were being used by the terrorists-affiliated armed bandits to store their sophisticated weapons and plan attacks.
The statement reads in full:
“ The Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI has recorded more successes against armed bandits in the North West of the Country with the obliteration of another camp and neutralization of scores of their fighters at Birnin Kogo Forest in Katsina State. Air strikes executed by the Air Component equally resulted in the destruction of some structures at a camp in Dunya Forest also in Katsina State.
“ The air raids were conducted on 23 and 24 November 2020 on the heels of impeccable intelligence reports indicating that the 2 camps, with their clusters of huts, were among the locations being used by the terrorists-affiliated armed bandits to store their sophisticated weapons and plan attacks. Aerial surveillance missions also established pattern-of-life evidence of the presence of black attire-wearing terrorists at the 2 locations.
“ Consequently, the Air Component dispatched an appropriate force package of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets and helicopter gunships, which engaged the 2 locations in successive passes, destroying portions of the camps, including their storage facilities, which were seen engulfed in flames. HUMINT sources later confirmed that no fewer than 37 bandits were neutralized at Dunya while many more were killed at Birnin Kogo.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies remain resolute in the fight against banditry and other sundry crimes and will not relent until normalcy is restored to all troubled zones of the country. The statement said.
