The Nigerian Air Force has claimed that it killed at least 20 commanders and fighters of the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) when its fighter jets attacked the location of the terrorist group at Bukar Meram and Dole in Borno state.
According to the Defence Headquarters, troops belonging to the Operation Hail Storm under Lafiya Dole attacked the terrorist commanders at the fringes of Lake Chad on Monday.
Maj. Gen, John Enenche, Coordinator, Defence Media Operations said the air strike completely destroyed Bukar Meram which is a major logistics base for ISWAP fighters.
Excerpts from a statement released by the Defence HQ read,
“In continuation of airstrikes being conducted under subsidiary Operation Hail Storm, the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole has successfully neutralised some ISWAP commanders and knocked out logistics facilities at Bukar Meram on the fringes of the Lake Chad in Borno State, while also neutralising several terrorists at Dole, a settlement in the Southern part of Borno State.”
The statement explained that the air strikes were conducted based on credible intelligence reports that ISWAP terrorists were carrying out activities in the two Lake Chad settlements.
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Bukar Meram which became a major ISWAP logistics base, housing some of its fighters and leaders were attacked by Nigerian Air Force Jets and Helicopter Gunships which took out key buildings and bases being used by ISWAP in the settlement.
“The attack at Dole was carried out after Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions showed a buildup of activities in the area after the relocation of some terrorists from nearby settlements of Kokiwa and Yale,” the statement continued.
“Over the area, the ISR aircraft spotted no fewer than 20 terrorists in the area, which were taken out by the NAF attack aircraft.”