Military air strikes kill ‘over 50’ suspected terrorists in Borno

Air strikes by the Nigerian Air Force have killed more than 50 suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters after an attempted assault on military positions in Ngoshe, Gwoza LGA of Borno state.

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, the strikes were carried out after the insurgents withdrew from a failed attack.

Quoting military sources, Makama said the terrorists attacked troop positions in Ngoshe at about 7:30 pm on March 3.

The insurgents were said to have carried out a quick attack and then ran away before more soldiers arrived to take control of the area.

Makama reported that more troops were sent in right away, while surveillance aircraft followed the fighters as they escaped along known routes.

“Upon receipt of real-time intelligence from ground troops, the surveillance aircraft were scrambled to engage the terrorists on their egress routes. The terrorists were sighted moving in clusters in both locations,” Makama said.

“Precision bombardment was conducted on confirmed target clusters and movement trails. Battle Damage Assessment indicates that over 50 terrorists were neutralised in two separate strike runs.

“The air-ground synergy under Operation Hadin Kai ensured that although the terrorists attempted to escape into forested enclaves, they were decisively engaged from the air.”

Makama added that clearance and area domination operations were ongoing to prevent any attempt by the insurgents to regroup. (The cable)