The Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) has neutralized more than 22 terrorists during a carried out air strikes in Batsari and Jibia Local Government Areas (LGA) of Katsina State.
The terrorists were mostly foot soldiers of the infamous kingpin Alhaji Abdulkareen Lawal, also known as Abdulkareen Boss, who had already passed away.
The decision to conduct these air strikes was based on credible intelligence reports indicating that these terrorists were responsible for numerous abductions and violent attacks on communities within Kankara LGA in Katsina State.
Moreover, another intelligence report uncovered a significant number of terrorists hiding at SOLA POI II, with plans to kidnap and attack commuters along the Jibia-Katsina road.
In response to these threats, the Air Component of OPHD executed multiple waves of air interdiction missions, successfully hitting the targets in several passes.
This resulted in the elimination of several terrorists, destruction of their structures, and disruption of their hideouts.
It’s worth mentioning that on August 6, 2022, NAF aircraft had previously eliminated the terrorist leader Alhaji Abdulkareem Lawal, along with some of his foot soldiers at Ruga Forest in Katsina State.
Abdulkareem Boss was notorious for orchestrating heinous acts, including the killing of a Nigerian Police Area Commander of Dutsin ma on July 5, 2022, among other atrocities.
His enclaves and hideouts at Rugu Forest had been targeted by the Air Component of OPHD after careful planning and coordination, leading to his ultimate elimination. Abdulkareem Boss was a high-value target, and the Nigerian Military and other security agencies had been monitoring him for a considerable period.
His base was located in the Marina area of Safana LGA, where he was responsible for numerous terrorist attacks, animal rustling, and kidnappings.
Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, the NAF spokesperson, confirmed the recent air strikes but refrained from providing further details.
However, he emphasized that the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Hasan Abubakar, had directed all air component commanders to collaborate closely with other security agencies to effectively utilize NAF’s firepower against terrorists’ targets and hideouts since assuming office.
Gabkwet said, “That we are now hearing some of these terrorists are seeking for a negotiated end to their meaningless war on innocent Nigerians speaks volume of the outcome of the directive of the Chief of the Air Staff to the various air component commanders.”