The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) airstrikes have neutralised scores of terrorists in Kaduna and Zamfara States and destroyed 25 illegal refining sites in Imo and Rivers States.

The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, AVM Edward Gabkwet, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, August 25, 2024.

Gabkwet said the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch continued in its efforts to track, locate, and eliminate the insurgents responsible for the recent upsurge of terrorists’ activities.

He stated that intelligence had revealed that the terrorists responsible for recent attacks on civilians, abductions, and cattle rustling in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State were domiciled in Kaduna State.

The NAF spokesperson noted that additional intelligence revealed the sightings of the terrorists relocating from Alawa Forest in Niger State to their stronghold in Malum Forest in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Gabkwet said: “Consequently, the Air Component planned and executed an Air Interdiction mission on the terrorists’ stronghold at Malum Forest on August 21.

NAF airstrikes destroy illegal refineries in Rivers, kill terrorists

“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 on terrorists’ hideouts at Bayan Ruwa in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

“The terrorists were tracked to the zinc-roofed structures in a vegetated area with few footpaths and a river line North West of the location.

“The targets were then acquired and engaged in successive passes.”

In the Niger Delta, Gabkwet disclosed that the air component of Operation Delta Safe destroyed 25 illegal refining sites and overhead tanks in Ohaji/Egbema in Imo State and Degema and Cawthorne Channel in Rivers State.

He said a leaking pipeline was observed with the leakage spreading across over 150 metres radius in Greenville in Rivers State.

The NAF spokesman added that the leakage has its attendant negative consequences on the vegetation, aquatic habitats and farmlands.

The Star