The sustained onslaught against terrorist locations in the Northeast by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) under the auspices of Operation RATTLE SNAKE-3 has recorded another major success with the neutralization of some key Boko Haram Leaders.
NAF in a statement released on Monday 10th February 2020 by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said the latest killing of the key Boko Haram Leaders was at Alafa Yagayaga, which is on the fringes of the Sambisa Forest in Borno State.
Air Commodore Daramola adding further, said the achievement by the NAF troops of Operation Rattle-Snake-3 was recorded on 8 February 2020, when fighter jets dispatched by the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE obliterated a compound in the settlement where the Boko Haram leaders had assembled for a meeting.
The NAF Spokesman said the airstrike was executed on the heels of credible intelligence reports indicating that the Boko Haram leaders had converged at the target compound for a meeting over the weekend.
“Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, which confirmed the meeting venue, also observed several Boko Haram Terrorists in and around other buildings in the vicinity of the compound,” he said.
He continued by saying:
“Bombs from the detailed attack aircraft scored accurate hits on the target leading to the obliteration of the compound and surrounding structures as well as the neutralization of their Boko Haram Terrorists occupants”.
“The NAF, operating in concert with surface forces, will sustain its air campaign to shape the battlespace in the Northeast for the effective conduct of further ground and air operations”. Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola added.
This latest development also comes a few days after NAF inducted into its folds, two Augusta 109 and one Mi-171E combat helicopters.
The induction ceremony took place in Abuja and witnessed so many air displays and simulation exercises which focus on rescue operations and engagement of bandits and other threats to national security. The results are starting pouring in already, and it is just four days since the induction ceremony!