Nigerian Air Force High Command on Wednesday, said that the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI (AC OPHK) had dealt a devastating blow to terrorists in Kukawa, Borno State, through two separate operations in which several of the Terrorist fighters were neutralized.
This was contained in a statement made available to Defence Correspondents in Abuja by the Director Public Relations and Information of the Service, Air Commorde Olusola F Akinboyewa.
According to the statement, “In the first operation, NAF fighter jets destroyed a gun truck and neutralised several fighters, while the second was to provide close air support to repel an attack on ground troops”.
It explained that the first operation began with credible intelligence on the location of a terrorists’ gun truck, approximately 5 kilometers west of Kukawa.
“NAF fighter jets swiftly responded, acquiring and attacking the target with precision, destroying the gun truck and crippling the terrorists’ capacity.
“In the second operation, the AC OPHK responded to a distress call from ground troops in Kukawa, who were under intense attack by terrorists on motorcycles.”
It stated that consequently, the NAF air assets rapidly responded, engaging the terrorists at various intervals and that the strike neutralised many terrorists while the ground troops recovered over 20 abandoned motorcycles.
It added that following the strike, ground troops were capitalising on the momentum, pursuing wounded and fleeing terrorists.
The statement reaffirmed NAF commitment to the collective effort to restore peace and security in the country and that it would continue to provide airpower in support of the ground forces and other security agencies in support of the ongoing battle against insurgency activities in the country.