Air strikes undertaken by the air component of Operation WHIRL PUNCH, on Thursday, 18 January 2024, have neutralized a well-known terrorist and kidnap kingpin popularly known as Janari and several members of his syndicate. Janari and his cohorts have been responsible for several attacks and abductions within Kaduna State as well as along the Abuja-Kaduna highway. The strikes were authourized after Janari and his gang were sighted at a location near Gadar Katako in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Further exploitation revealed that they were massing up for a likely attack or kidnapping of vulnerable civilians, hence the need to immediately attack the location. Intelligence received after the strike revealed that Janari was indeed eliminated alongside several other terrorists/kidnappers. Similar air strikes were also carried out on 20 January 2024 on confirmed terrorists and kidnappers’ hideouts near Chukuba in Niger State with various degrees of success. Feedback after the strikes was also positive as it confirmed that the targets were neutrlized and their mobility destroyed.
Collaborative efforts by the NAF and other security agencies will continue across all locations suspected of harbouring terrorists and kidnappers.
Edward Gabkwet
Air Vice Marshal
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force
21 January 2024
