The Nigerian Airforce on Wednesday announced that its Air Air Component Operation Hadin Kai in an operation in Borno State, Northeast Nigeria, has successfully eliminated the top terrorist commanders Munzir Arika, Sani Dilla, and several others.
The success was announced on Wednesday in a statement by Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, Director of Public Relations and Information of the Airforce, he noted that the exercise was an air interdiction mission on August 16, 2024, in Arina, Southern Tumbuns, of the state.
He noted the operation was undertaken to weaken the activities of the terrorists whose remaining, according to him, are minute; he noted that the remaining terrorists are currently terrorising the Northeastern part of the country. He explained that during the operation, the Air Force had taken cognisance of the safety of civilians in the state.
In his explanation, he noted that intelligence had shown that the terrorists were migrating into the area from different locations in neighbouring locations, which prompted the operation. He further disclosed that the Air Force conducted confirmatory intelligence and surveillance in the area on 12 and 15 August 2024, which confirmed the terrorists’ activities in the said location.
After both successful intelligence activities, the Director of Public Relations and Information confirmed that the operation recorded a heavy success with the elimination of a large number of terrorists in the location. He also confirmed that several structures in the location were also destroyed by the air components of the Air Force.
Some of the damages, according to the aftermath assessment, include vehicles, water vessels, and a suspected medical dispensary operated by the terrorists in the said location. He also revealed that intelligence has proved that five key terrorist leaders were eliminated while others sustained several degrees of injuries during the operation.
Some other individuals in the location during the time of operation include Munzir Arika, Sani Dilla (Dan Hausawan Jubillaram), Ameer Modu, Dan Fulani Fari Fari, and Bakoura Arina Chiki, along with over 35 other foot soldiers, including the commanders.
Air Vice Marshal Edward confirmed that the operation had resulted in the killing of most of the terror group members remaining in the location and other operational equipment used by the terrorists.
The statement further revealed that the Air Force is committed to protecting lives and properties in the country by giving adequate support to the soldiers and other security agencies.
The operation will mark the second time the security forces have recorded a major success against terrorists in the Northeast in one week; the Nigerian Army undertook the initial operation, and a large number of terrorists were killed in the operation.