The Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI has struck terrorists’ enclave in the Sambisa forest in Borno state, killing many insurgents.
According to a counter-insurgency and security expert in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, the mission was launched based on credible intelligence indicating heightened insurgent activity around the Parisu axis deep within the forest.
Makama stated that at about 9:00 p.m. on March 20, an air asset was deployed to conduct an armed reconnaissance and interdiction operation over the target area.
It added that upon arrival, the platform established visual contact with suspected Boko Haram fighters moving in a coordinated and tactical manner.
The source reiterated that further surveillance showed the insurgents converging on a concealed structure camouflaged under dense vegetation.
Makama revealed that while maintaining persistent over watch, the aircrew trailed the movement to the hideout and executed a precision strike.
The strike was delivered with high accuracy, destroying the structure and neutralising multiple terrorists on site.
Battle Damage Assessment, BDA, conducted after the strike revealed that several insurgents fled from adjoining hideouts in disarray, attempting to escape deeper into the forest.
“Maintaining pressure, the air platform tracked the fleeing elements and conducted a follow-up strike on another identified hideout.
“The second engagement further degraded the terrorists’ capabilities, destroying additional targets and forcing surviving fighters into chaotic retreat,” the source added.
