The
Nigerian Air Force, NAF, on Thursday said the air component operation of
“Operation Lafiya Dole” hit a “mass gathering” of Boko Haram terrorists at
Wulge area of Borno State. The air component commander of the theatre
operation, “Operation Lafiya Dole”, Isiaka Amao, said this while briefing
journalists in Maiduguri on Thursday.
“The air
component struck a mass gathering of Boko Haram terrorists and their leaders at
Wulge. “Report received after the strike was that it was a huge success as many
terrorists were killed,” Mr. Amao said. He said NAF also sighted and
neutralised terrorists’ vehicles in Kunshe town. The commander also said NAF
destroyed Boko Haram’s logistics, vehicle workshop and a weapon storage
facility after successful interdiction missions on their Sambisa forest
hideout.
Mr. Amao,
an air commodore, said NAF also destroyed a bomb-making factory in the forest. “The
air component has continued to intensify its air effort in support of the
ground troops. In October, over 40 interdiction missions with over 80 per cent
success were carried out. “Just to mention a few, we have in the month degraded
the terrorists’ logistics in the Sambisa forest,” he said.
Mr. Amao
said the air force also destroyed two suspected terrorists’ camps in the
forest. “The continued air strikes have significantly degraded the capabilities
of the terrorists. “Likewise, two terrorist hideouts in Sambisa were
destroyed,” he said. Mr. Amao, however, announced that NAF lost one of its
pilots, Ebitimi Owei, during the month. “On a sad note, we lost a colleague,
Flight Lt. Ebitimi Owei and a platform during one of the missions. May his
gentle soul rest in peace,” he said.
Mr. Amao
said the death of Mr. Owei would not affect the morale of officers engaged in
the operation. He said NAF also intercepted and destroyed a boat carrying fuel
to the terrorists along Nigeria-Cameroon border. “Other armed missions were
carried out in Geidam, Gamboru, Ngala, Mafa, Kirenowa and Banki towns, among
others. “These missions were aimed at identifying and destroying opportunity
targets and denying terrorists freedom of action,” the commander said.