The Nigerian Air Force component of Operation Hadin Kai has killed at least 15 terrorists and destroyed their structures in an air interdiction mission at Zuwa, a newly identified hideout in the Sambisa forest area of Borno State.
According to military sources, the operation was carried out on September 3 at about 11:50 a.m. following intelligence that tracked insurgents fleeing from sustained ground operations in the Bitta axis in July.
Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, ISR, missions conducted by Grey Raptor platforms reportedly established the terrorists’ movement along a river line stretching from Bitta towards Zuwa.
“Overhead the western part of Zuwa, our crew observed terrorist structures with several fighters wearing ISWAP uniforms. It was evident the location had become a major concentration point. Precision-guided strikes were then executed on the targets,” one of the sources said.
The air raids destroyed the hideout and neutralised more than 15 fighters, the sources confirmed. The operation was described as a follow-up to the July 28 clash in Bitta, where ground troops dislodged several insurgents.
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, alongside the air component, have pledged to sustain joint strikes, reconnaissance, and close air support missions until Boko Haram and ISWAP remnants are eliminated from the North-East.
