NAF Wipes Out ISWAP Hideout In Borno

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it has destroyed an Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) hideout and neutralised some of the insurgents’ fighters at Mina along the Gulumba Gana-Kumshe Axis in the northern part of Borno State.
The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore, Ibikunle Daramola, made this known in a statement, yesterday in Abuja.
He said the operation was conducted through the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD).
Daramola explained that the mission, executed on March 4 as part of the ongoing Operation “Decisive Edge”, was undertaken after a NAF Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft spotted the terrorists assembling in the vicinity of some compounds within the settlement.
“Fighter jets scrambled by the ATF to engage the location scored accurate hits in the target area leading to the destruction of some terrorists’ structures as well as the neutralisation of some of their fighters.
“The NAF, in furtherance of the objective of restoring peace and security in the North-East and operating in concert with surface forces, would continue to carry out air interdiction missions against the enemies of our nation,” he said.
However, the Nigerian Army said it is relentlessly combating the present security challenges through the procurement of equipment necessary to halt the rage of the insurgents.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Maj-Gen Olubunmi Irefin, who made the revelation, said the force was also tackling contemporary challenges through training and retraining of its personnel and the provision of adequate welfare for its officers and men.
Irefin spoke during the conduct of the West African Social Activities (WASA) for the Nigerian Army Education Corps which held at Ann’s Barrack in Yaba in Lagos, saying that the force needs improved funding to enable it to carry out some of its responsibilities.