The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) announced on Sunday that several terrorists were killed in an air interdiction operation on Malum Forest in Kaduna State. The operation, carried out by the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch on Saturday, August 24, targeted terrorists responsible for recent attacks on civilians, abductions, and cattle rustling in Niger State.
According to NAF spokesman, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, “In response to the recent upsurge of terrorists’ activities targeting innocent civilians in Niger State, the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch has continued in its efforts to track, locate and eliminate the terrorists responsible.” Intelligence revealed that the terrorists were hiding in Malum Forest, and the air component planned and executed an air interdiction mission on August 24.
Gabkwet noted, “Consequently, the Air Component planned and executed an Air Interdiction mission on 21 August 24 on the terrorists’ stronghold at Malum Forest. Battle damage assessment and feedback from local sources revealed several of the terrorists were eliminated as a result of the strike.” Similar strikes were also conducted in Zamfara State, targeting terrorists’ hideouts at Bayan Ruwa in Maradun LGA.
In addition, air raids were conducted in the Niger Delta region, resulting in the destruction of several illegal refining sites and overhead tanks. Gabkwet said, “In the Niger Delta Region, patrols conducted by the air component of Operation Delta Safe over Ohaji/Egbema in Imo State and Degema and Cawthorne Channel in Rivers State revealed several Illegal Refining Sites and overhead tanks which were effectively destroyed. In all, over 25 illegal sites were destroyed.”
