TheCable

Troops of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) have reportedly killed many fighters of Boko Haram and its breakaway faction, the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), during an air raid in Bama, Borno state.

According to Zagazola Makama, a publication on counter-insurgency operations, the airstrike exercise was conducted on Friday during a fight involving members of both groups in Bama.

Intelligence sources reportedly said the exercise was carried out by troops after a series of surveillance missions triggered by heavy presence of the insurgents in the area.

A source also said the air strikes successfully decimated insurgent groups around the axis of Gargash in Borno, following the operation in Bama.

“They were in a middle of a fight when the Super Tucano attacked them, scoring a devastating hit on them, killing scores of the Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in the process,” a source was quoted as saying.

According to Zagazola Makama, in the past few weeks, camps of Boko Haram have been in disarray owing to air and ground attacks coordinated by the troops of operation Hadin Kai.

More than 20 insurgents and their families from Njimiya camp also recently surrendered to the troops of the 21 armoured brigade in Bama.

One of the insurgents was quoted as saying the continued attacks by the military have led to displacement and hunger in many insurgent camps, leaving them with the options of surrendering or continue hiding without food.

On Sunday, NAF announced that its troops killed one Abdulkareem Lawal, identified as a “high-valued terrorist”, and 27 other insurgents in Kastina.