Insurgents killed as Air Force, Army bomb village

Boko Haram insurgents were yesterday killed in two successive air strikes by Nigeria Air Force (NAF) in an ambush by troops of 151 Battalion, 21 Brigade.

The strikes were carried out at Zanari, Borno State, while troops of Operation Lafiya Dole attacked terrorists in an ambush at Bocost, on Ngurosoye-Bama Road, Borno State.

A statement by NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya said the insurgents were hit by two aircraft in rapid succession, with structures housing them going up in flames.

NAF operations were supported by video footages released by Air Commodore Adesanya.

He said: “In furtherance of the recently-commenced Operation RUWAN WUTA, on September 7, the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) conducted air interdiction on structures, with two hoisted Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) Organisation flags at Zanari, a location with significant BHT presence at the northern fringes of Borno State bordering Lake Chad.

“A number of BHTs had earlier been sported, from a NAF Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance platform, entering the buildings, apparently for meetings.

“The F-7Ni and Alpha Jet aircraft were detailed to attack the target. Overhead the location, the target was acquired and engaged by the two aircraft in rapid succession. Subsequent Battle Damage Assessment showed the targeted structures went up in flames, killing occupants.

“The objective of Operation RUWAN WUTA is to further degrade the capability of the BHTs, thereby preventing them from regrouping to cause havoc for our surface forces.

“The operation also aims at softening the ground for our surface forces to subsequently move in and conduct mopping up operations.”

Army spokesperson Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman said in a statement: “The troops of 151 Battalion, 21 Brigade, on Operation LAFIYA DOLE, at the early hours of September 10, laid a successful ambush on suspected Boko Haram terrorists’ crossing point at Bocost, on Ngurosoye -Bama Road, Borno State.

“The troops neutralised a large number of Boko Haram terrorists, while others sustained gunshot injuries.

“The troops recovered AK 47 rifle, registered as 1029, AK 47 magazine, 60 rounds of 7.62mm Special, three bicycles, four empty jerry-cans, a cutlass and N5,600 from the insurgents.”