By Abubakar Haruna Muhammad
(9News Nigeria Northeast)
The Air platforms of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, have sent about 36 terrorists to their afterlife in a series of precision airstrikes across Borno State between the night of August 21 and the early hours of August 22.
According to Captain Mohammed Goni, spokesperson for the command, the operations were guided by credible intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions that tracked terrorist movements and concentrations.
In the Aduwa axis of Monguno LGA, an armed reconnaissance aircraft first tracked suspected terrorists before detecting a larger group inside a settlement.
Following operational authorization, the aircraft conducted two precision strikes.
A subsequent battle damage assessment showed that about 16 terrorists were killed.
The aircraft continued surveillance and detected another group of about 10 terrorists attempting to regroup away from the initial target.
A follow-up strike engaged the group and all were neutralized.
In a separate operation around Buratai in Biu LGA, another Operation Hadin Kai aircraft tracked terrorists gathered at a location.
After sustained surveillance and authorization, the aircraft conducted a precision strike that killed about 10 terrorists.
The three engagements brought the total number of terrorists killed to about 36.
The Joint Task Force said the operations demonstrate the impact of its ISR capabilities in detecting and disrupting terrorist movements before they can threaten troops and communities.
It added that the strikes will put further pressure on terrorist command structures, logistics and fighting formations while limiting their ability to move and regroup.
The military noted that air operations are being supported by non-kinetic measures including community engagement, strategic communication, counter-messaging, humanitarian coordination, and efforts to encourage surrender.
Operation Hadin Kai urged residents to remain vigilant and provide security forces with timely and credible information to aid early threat detection and restore peace and normal economic activity across the Northeast.
