TheCable

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it has degraded logistics, vehicle workshop and a weapon storage facility of Boko Haram insurgents in Sambisa forest, a stronghold of the sect.

Isiaka Amao, air component commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, said this while briefing reporters in Maiduguri on Thursday.

Amao said NAF had also destroyed a bomb-making factory in the forest.

“The air component has continued to intensify its air effort in support of the ground troops. In October, over 40 interdiction missions with over 80 per cent success were carried out,” he said.

“Just to mention a few, we have in the month degraded the terrorists logistics in the Sambisa forest.”

Amao added that the air force had destroyed two suspected insurgent camps in the forest.

“The continued air strikes have significantly degraded the capabilities of the terrorists,” he said. “Likewise, two terrorists hideouts in Sambisa were destroyed.”

However, he announced that NAF lost Ebitimi Owei, one of its pilots, in one of the operations.

“On a sad note, we lost a colleague, Flight Lt. Ebitimi Owei, and a platform during one of the missions,” he said.

“May his gentle soul rest in peace.”

Amao expressed optimism that the death of Owei would not affect the morale of officers engaged in the operation.

He revealed that the force had also intercepted and destroyed a boat carrying fuel to the militants along Nigeria-Cameroon border.

“The air component also struck a mass gathering of Boko Haram terrorists and some leadership at Wulge,” he said.

“Report received after the strike was that it was a huge success as many terrorists were killed. Other armed missions were carried out in Geidam, Gamboru, Ngala, Mafa, Kirenowa and Banki towns, among others.

“These missions were aimed at identifying and destroying opportunity targets and denying terrorists freedom of action.”