By Emmanuel Obisue
The air component of Operation Hadin Kai in a series of airstrikes recently conducted in Nigeria’s Northeast region, have neutralized Malam Ali Kwaya, a key member of the Shura Council of the Islamic State of West Africa Province, ISWAP, and scores of other terrorists.
The neutralized terrorists who were taken down by precison airstrikes of the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, were conveying about 13 of their wounded colleagues who survived an initial airstrike in two vehicles along Belowa in Abadan Local Government Area of Borno State.
Briefing journalists on Thursday at the Nigerian Defence Headquarters, Abuja, Major General Musa Danmadami, Director, Defence Media Opertions, informed that “Mallam Ali Kwaya, who is a key member of the Islamic State of West Africa Province Shura Council and Mallam Bukar Mainoka were among those neutralized in the strikes”.
“Between 4 and 5 November 2022, the air component conducted air interdiction operation at Belowa and Ngwuri Gana in Abadan and Bama Local Government Areas of Borno State respectively. Precisely, on 5 November 2022, an air interdiction operation was conducted at Belowa in Abadan Local Government Area of Borno State, following intelligence on the convergence of some Boko Haram Terrorist/Islamic State of West Africa Province leaders and their fighters from surrounding area for a meeting on a planned attacks on a likely location within the general area.
“Consequently, the location was bombarded; after which 2 vehicles observed to be conveying about 13 injured terrorists that survived the initial strike to another hideout were equally struck, neutralizing the terrorists,” he stated.
In a separate operation carried out on November 12, Maj. Gen Danmadami informed that troops at Isuofia in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State came in contact with the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB/Eastern Security Network, ESN criminals, neutralizing 13 and arresting six others, in including their herbalist.
“Troops neutralized 13 Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals, arrested 6 including their herbalist, troops equally recovered 8 AK47 rifles, 7 pump action guns, 3 locally made pistols, 1 sniper rifle, 15 rounds of 7.62mm special, 13 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 8 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 5 cartridges, 3 pairs of combat boots, 2 pairs of camouflage uniforms and 2 camouflage jungle hats,” Danmadami added.
