Borno State, Nigeria – The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced a major military success in the fight against insurgency, reporting that “scores” of Boko Haram terrorists were killed in a precision airstrike on Bita, a notorious insurgent stronghold in the northeastern state of Borno.
According to a statement released Friday by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, the operation was carried out in the early hours of the day under Operation Hadin Kai, a joint military campaign against insurgents in the North-East.
“In the early hours of today, NAF combat aircraft carried out precision airstrikes on fleeing terrorists in Bita, Borno State, neutralising scores of insurgents in what has been described as one of the most decisive blows against the group in recent times,” the statement read.
The coordinated air assault, executed under the cover of darkness, targeted insurgents who were reportedly regrouping after recent clashes with security forces. The operation is being hailed as a significant step forward in degrading Boko Haram’s operational capabilities and denying them safe havens in the region.
Ground troops have now commenced clearance and exploitation operations in the area to consolidate gains made by the air offensive and secure liberated zones.
The NAF reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty and protecting law-abiding citizens.
“All necessary measures are being taken to ensure that terrorist elements have no safe haven anywhere within the country,” the NAF said.
Bita, located in the Sambisa Forest axis, has long served as a staging ground for Boko Haram and ISWAP attacks on civilian populations and military targets across Borno State.