Airstrikes eliminate 27 terrorists in Tumbus operations

The Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai has killed 27 terrorists during separate air interdiction missions carried out against insurgent hideouts in the Southern and Northern Tumbus areas of Borno State.

According to an operational report released by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Sunday, the strikes followed extensive Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) activities conducted across the theatre of operations.

The report stated that air assets, including Dragon and ISR platforms, launched an air interdiction mission on June 10 at about 12:40 a.m. targeting Dawoshe, a notorious terrorist enclave in the Southern Tumbus axis.

During aerial surveillance, the aircraft reportedly identified vehicles belonging to the terrorists and engaged them.

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The report indicated that a subsequent Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) confirmed the destruction of the vehicles and the elimination of 12 terrorists in the operation.

On the same day, the Air Component also executed a precision strike on terrorist positions in Metele, located in the Northern Tumbus area of Guzamala Local Government Area.

Findings from post-strike assessments, supported by BDA and Human Intelligence (HUMINT), showed that 15 terrorists were neutralised during the attack.

The report noted that the operations significantly weakened terrorist elements operating around the Lake Chad basin and within the Tumbus enclaves.

It added that the strikes were part of ongoing military efforts aimed at degrading insurgent capabilities, disrupting their supply networks and limiting their operational freedom across the North-East.

Overall, the report said, 27 terrorists were neutralised in the two coordinated air operations conducted during the review period.

The Armed Forces of Nigeria also reaffirmed their determination to sustain offensive actions against terrorist strongholds until peace and security are fully restored across the region.