By Kazeem Waris
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have killed more than 18 terrorists and destroyed several logistics hubs in an air and ground operation targeting a terrorist enclave at Tumbunma Baba in the Tumbuns area of Borno State.
The operation, conducted by the Air Component of the Joint Task Force (North East), was carried out in coordination with ground troops of Sector 1, Operation HADIN KAI, following weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance.
Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement yesterday.
Goni said intelligence had indicated the presence of high-profile terrorist elements at meeting and logistics nodes within the islands.
He said the intelligence was subsequently validated through surveillance and confirmatory Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations, which began on Wednesday, September 9.
According to him, the surveillance identified several terrorist structures and logistics hubs, confirming the area as a gathering and support base.
He said: “Following positive identification of the targets, the air platforms acquired and engaged the designated locations with precision munitions, with ground troops occupying all likely escape routes for further direct fire engagements.”
Goni said the air strikes destroyed the targeted structures and “neutralised over 18 terrorist elements”, dealing a major blow to terrorist activities in the area.
He added that the operation disrupted the terrorists’ logistics and degraded their ability to use the enclave as a meeting and support base.
The military spokesman said post-strike assessment indicated an estimated 85 per cent success in achieving the intended operational objectives.
“The outcome further underscores the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations, timely ISR confirmation and coordinated employment of air assets in synergy with ground troops,” he said.
Goni said Operation HADIN KAI would continue to work with other security agencies and stakeholders to deny terrorists the freedom to operate, regroup or establish logistics and support infrastructure across the North-East theatre.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible and timely information to security forces to support ongoing efforts to identify and disrupt terrorist activities in the region.
