The Nigeria Air Force (NAF) disclosed that strikes from its fighter jets has eliminated several terrorists planning to disrupt the repair being carried out on the Shiroro-Kaduna transmission line. Recall that terrorists had destroyed the transmission line which resulted in 17 northern states without electricity for almost 3 weeks.
Furthermore, President Bola Tinubu ordered troops to provide protection for electricity workers with the aim of enabling them to perform the necessary repairs on the damaged electricity infrastructure.
In a statement issued by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore, Olusola Akinboyewa which stated that a series of air interdiction operations targeting terrorist positions deep within the Alawa Forest, located in the Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
He said, “In a coordinated mission to support power restoration efforts in Kaduna and other northwestern states, the NAF, on November 1, 2024, executed a series of air interdiction operations targeting terrorist positions located deep within the Alawa Forest in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
“This mission aligns with ongoing efforts to secure power infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted progress in restoring electricity to affected areas.
“The strike followed a series of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions which confirmed the presence of terrorist fighters who were converging to disrupt ongoing power restoration. The air component, acting swiftly on this intelligence, planned and carried out a successful airstrike to neutralize the threat.
“Overhead the target area, NAF crews observed and engaged the terrorists, neutralizing several fighters and their logistics with precise firepower.”
He also stated that the NAF had increased armed reconnaissance along the critical power lines situated from Shiroro Lake to Damba in order to avoid any potential terrorist interference in the electricity restoration efforts, adding that it “underscores NAF’s commitment to collaborate with other security agencies in protecting vital infrastructure and ensuring the swift and full restoration of essential services for Kaduna and neighboring states”.