…Terrorist kingpins Khalid Tukur, Maimusari, Bakura Jega neutralized
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) announced yesterday the killing in one day of over 100 terrorists including some of their leaders in an airstrike on 20 December, in Borno.
The announcement according to security analysts will improve business activities and promote needed for the conduct of 2023 elections in the North East of Nigeria.
The Director Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet disclosed in a statement released to Nigerian NewsDirect on Sunday in Abuja.
He said that the interdiction mission was conducted by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) at Mantari village in Gezuwa general area, Bama Local Government Area of Borno.
The Director said that among those neutralised were terrorist kingpins Khalid Tukur, Maimusari, and Bakura Jega.
Gabkwet said that the attack followed intelligence report that a Boko Haram terrorist commander, known as Ikirima, had moved to Mantari village with his gun trucks, and was joined by terrorists on motorcycles from other locations.
“Subsequently, the authorisation for an air strike was given leading to the elimination of several of the terrorists and structures in the area.
“After the first wave of air strikes, some surviving terrorists found their way back to the same location to evacuate the bodies of those neutralised in the air strike.
“This provided an opportunity for a follow-up strike on the same location which has been confirmed very successful as over 100 terrorists were neutralised with dozens said to be in critical condition.”