…air strikes clear Iswap leaders and bases in Buka Meram
….several fighters neutralized in Dole
By FOLUSHO ALADE, ABUJA
Air Task force of Operation Hail storm has destroyed several ISWAP leaders and logistics facilities in the Bukar Meram area of Borno state, North-East Nigeria in a clearance operation while a similar operation carried out in Dole neutralized several insurgent fighters, according to the latest information from the Defence Media Operations (DMO) of the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
The information contained in a Press Release from the Defence Media Operations and signed by its Coordinator MAJ GEN JOHN ENENCHE said the air strike operations were executed on the 17th of August 2020 after credible intelligence reports indicating a resurgence of terrorists’ activities in Bukar Meram and Dole settlements.
The Press Statement released on Wednesday read in full:
“ In continuation of air strikes being conducted under subsidiary Operation HAIL STORM, the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has successfully neutralized some Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) Commanders and knocked out logistics facilities at Bukar Meram on the fringes of the Lake Chad in Borno State, while also neutralizing several terrorists at Dole, a settlement in the Southern part of Borno State.
“ The air interdiction missions were executed on 17 August 2020 on the heels of credible intelligence reports indicating a resurgence of terrorists’ activities in the 2 settlements.
“ Bukar Meram, a major ISWAP logistics hub linking other Island settlements of the Lake Chad, which also houses several of their fighters and some of their key leaders, was attacked by an enhanced force package of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets and helicopter gunships which hit designated targets in the area leading to the destruction of the logistics facilities and neutralization of several of the terrorists and their leaders.
“The attack at Dole was carried out after Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions showed a build up of activities in the area after the relocation of some terrorists from nearby settlements of Kokiwa and Yale. Overhead the area the ISR aircraft spotted no fewer than 20 terrorists in the area, which were taken out by the NAF attack aircraft”, the statement said.
