NAF fighter jets
Defence Headquarters has confirmed fresh coordinated air operations against suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters in parts of North-East Nigeria, as military offensives against terrorist groups continue to intensify.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, disclosed that the latest strikes were carried out in collaboration with the United States Africa Command in the general area of Metele, Borno State.
According to the Defence Headquarters, the operations targeted terrorist movements and gathering points after intelligence reports revealed the convergence and migration of armed fighters within the area.
The military said the coordinated airstrikes successfully eliminated more than 20 ISIS/ISWAP fighters during the operation.
The latest offensive comes days after the reported neutralisation of notorious ISIS commander, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, as security forces sustain pressure on insurgent groups operating in the North-East.
Part of the statement read, “Following observed convergence and migration of terrorist elements, multiple air strikes were conducted resulting in the elimination of more than 20 ISIS/ISWAP fighters.”
The Defence Headquarters noted that the ongoing operations are aimed at dismantling terrorist networks, weakening their operational capacity and preventing them from establishing safe havens within Nigerian territory.
It added, “The ongoing operations follow the neutralisation of ISIS commander Abu-Bilal al-Minuki and are part of sustained efforts to disrupt terrorist networks, remove them from the battlefield and deny the terrorists any safe haven within Nigeria.”
Reaffirming the commitment of the Armed Forces, the military assured Nigerians that operations against insurgents and other criminal elements would continue across all theatres of operation.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria will continue to aggressively defend the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the nation. Terrorists who threaten our citizens, communities and national stability will be located and defeated,” the statement added.
The Defence Headquarters further declared that there would be “no safe haven for all terrorists anywhere in Nigeria.”
