Nigerian military says air strike kill 36 terrorists, several others in northeast
ABUJA, Nigeria (The Informant247) – The Nigerian Air Force fired upon and killed dozens of terrorists in the northeast in the last two weeks, the country’s defence headquarters said on Thursday, as the country wages a 12-year war against insurgencies.
Two top commanders of Boko Haram and Islamic States in West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists, identified as Abu Asiya and Abu Ubaida (A’Qaid) were among those eliminated, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami, told reporters in Abuja.
He said that while Asiya was killed at Parisu, Ubaida was eliminated at Sheruri all in Sambisa forest general area on Sept. 12 and Sept. 15 respectively.
“Consequently, within the period under review, troops neutralised 36 terrorists, rescued 130 civilians and arrested 46 suspected Boko Haram terrorists as well as 12 suspected Boko Haram Terrorists/ISWAP logistic suppliers.
“Furthermore, 21 AK47 rifles, 163 rounds of 7.62mm special, two RPG bombs, 25 Dane guns, four explosive ordinance store, two bandoliers, 10 solar panels, 23 bicycles, 10 motorcycles and one tricycle were recovered.
“Other items recovered are, 19 cell phones, 28 torch lights, bags of assorted grains, 122 rustled sheep, and the sum of N203,125 among other items.
“Equally, a total of 368 suspected terrorists and their families comprising 53 adult males, 116 adult females and 214 children surrendered to own troops at different locations in the theatre,” he said.
The defence spokesman said the air component had on September 9 eliminated several terrorists at Somalia in Sambisa forest in an air bombardment.
He said that similar operation was carried out on terrorists’ enclaves at Abdallari, Mafa, Zanari and Tumbun Baba between September 10 and September 14 killing several terrorists and destroying their structures.
Background
Northwest Nigeria is a hotbed of criminal gangs who raid villages, steal cattle, kidnapp for ransom and burn homes after looting food supplies.
The region also experiences occasional clashes between Fulani people, who and mainly herders and one of the largest ethnic groups widely dispersed across West Africa.
The Fulani, who migrated to the south to graze their cattle, claim farmers have tried to steal their animals and attack their people.
The gangs maintain camps in forests from where they launch attacks.
Troop deployments and peace talks with local authorities have failed to end the crisis.
