Airstrikes destroy terrorist hubs, kill 18 in Borno

Nigerian military aircraft have destroyed several terrorist structures and logistics facilities, killing about 18 insurgents during an air operation in Tumbunma Baba, within the Tumbuns area of Borno State.

The operation was conducted around 6:05 a.m. on Thursday, September 11, by troops operating under Operation Hadin Kai.

Military sources said the airstrikes followed intelligence indicating that a high-profile meeting involving terrorists was taking place on the islands.

According to the sources, surveillance and reconnaissance missions conducted on September 9 identified several structures and logistics hubs believed to be used by the terrorists.

Following confirmation of the targets, military aircraft carried out an air interdiction operation and engaged the identified locations with onboard munitions.

The strikes reportedly destroyed several structures and logistics facilities while approximately 18 terrorists operating from the enclave were killed.

The military assessed the operation as achieving about 85 per cent success, with further airstrikes recommended to consolidate the gains and target surviving terrorist elements in the area.

The latest operation forms part of the military’s sustained campaign to disrupt terrorist networks in the North-East by destroying their logistics infrastructure, limiting their freedom of movement and preventing them from coordinating attacks.

Military authorities said operations would continue to deny terrorist groups safe havens and degrade their capacity to operate in the Tumbuns.