The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has revealed that it has targeted several criminal elements in coordinated airstrikes in various theatres of operation across the country. This was made known on Sunday in a statement issued by NAF, Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet. According to him, on August 11, a NAF aircraft deployed to Operation Delta Safe conducted air interdiction missions at an illegal oil refining site located in South-West of Bille in Rivers State.
He said that on the same day, similar airstrikes were also conducted on a well-known Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) camp located in Orsumoghu in Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State, adding that intelligence revealed that the IPOB elements were preparing to attack innocent citizens, so it was necessary to immediately engage them.
The NAF spokesperson further disclosed that on the same day similar airstrikes were done by NAF aircraft attached to Operation Hadin Kai at a once-deserted terrorists’ hideout close to Sambisa Forest.
Gabkwet said that earlier reconnaissance of the location revealed that terrorists were gathering at the location, which had been cleared of terrorists’ activities about 6 months ago.
According to the statement, “There were strong indications that these terrorists had fled from locations around Lake Chad after the areas came under intense bombardment by NAF aircraft. The location east of Arra was consequently attacked to decimate the terrorists and deny them settling at the location and using same as a staging point.
“Footage of the aftermath of the strike later revealed it was successful as several terrorists were neutralised and structures destroyed, while the few surviving terrorists were seen scampering away in disarray. At the end, their ability to attack friendly forces as well as innocent civilians were degraded."