Air strikes kill ‘several’ Boko Haram terrorists in Sambisa forest

Strikes by the air component of Operation HADIN KAI have reportedly killed several terrorists in the Sambisa forest area of Borno state, according to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region.

Citing security sources, the publication said the mission followed credible intelligence indicating the presence of insurgents around the Parisu axis within the forest.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the mission was based on credible intelligence indicating the presence of insurgents around the Parisu axis within the forest.

Makama added that at about 9 pm on Friday, March 20, an air asset was deployed to carry out an armed reconnaissance and air interdiction mission over the suspected location.

“Upon arrival overhead, the platform established visual contact with suspected Boko Haram terrorists engaging in active movements within the area,” the publication quoted a security source as saying.

It added that the surveillance revealed insurgents moving tactically before converging on a concealed structure hidden under dense foliage.

“The source said the aircrew maintained persistent surveillance and trailed the suspects to the hideout before executing a precision strike on the target,” it said.

“The strike was accurately delivered, resulting in the destruction of the structure and neutralisation of multiple terrorists within the location.”

According to the report, the battle damage assessment (BDA) conducted after the strike indicated that several insurgents fled from adjoining hideouts in disarray, seeking cover within the forest.

“The source added that the air platform continued tracking the fleeing terrorists and conducted a follow-up strike on another identified hideout,” the publication said.

“The second strike further degraded the terrorists’ capability, with additional targets destroyed. BDA confirmed significant impact, with survivors observed attempting to escape.

“He noted that the sustained air presence and precision engagement demonstrated growing dominance in the airspace and its ability to deny terrorists freedom of action in their enclaves.

“The successful operation, according to the source, forms part of ongoing coordinated air and ground offensives aimed at dismantling terrorist strongholds in Sambisa Forest and adjoining areas.”