The Nigerian Air Force has recorded new success in the fight against insurgency. In the latest success, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai has destroyed terrorists’ Improvised Explosive Devices factory at Grazah, a location deep in the Mandara Hills in Borno.
According to the statement released by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, AVM Edward Gabkwet, on Thursday in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.
He explained that the recent step taken by the air troops was because of the recent attacks by the insurgents on citizens using IEDs and suicide bombers in the state.
He said air strikes were conducted on August 2, following intelligence, which revealed the sighting of a possible IED factory and storage area for other logistics.
In his revelations, the Army has been tracking the relocation of the IED factory; he explained that it was suspected to have been relocated, first from Gwoza to Timbuktu Triangle in Sambisa Forest and finally berthing at Grazah in the Mandara Hills.
He explained that the relocations have been attributed to the level of chase given by the officers and men to the Nigerian Air Force.
The statement also noted that the IED factory has been under the watch of the Nigerian Air Force for weeks. He explained the terrorists in Grazah had heavily guided the IED factory. The protection, according to him, is highly strategic for the Boko haram members and their leaders.
Some of the equipment found at the IED factory were two gun trucks under a large tree nearby.
“These findings thus necessitated the need for an air strike on the location in order to destroy the suspected IED factory and neutralise the terrorists.”
He concluded and said the targets were effectively destroyed, explaining that the thick cloud of smoke that followed the air strikes confirmed the destruction of the IED factory and the gun trucks.