NAF airstrikes nutrialise terrorists at Alhaji Nashama's enclave in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
Several terrorists loyal to the notorious terrorists’ kingpin Alhaji Nashama were on 24 July 2023 eliminated by air strikes undertaken by the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) at Alhaji Nashama’s enclave in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara State.
The strikes were carried out on the heels of credible and actionable intelligence reports that the terrorists were messing up at Tsamre in Birnin Magaji LGA with the aim of attacking locals and rustling cattle.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama, a Counter-Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad region that the Air Component of OPHD struck the location in successive passes, eliminating scores of terrorists as well as destroying their structures and enclave.
Similar air strikes were also conducted on terrorists’ enclaves at Hanawanka in Shiroro LGA and Palele, a village on the borders of Shiroro and Munya LGAs of Niger State.
This became necessary after intelligence had revealed a migration of terrorists from Katsina and Zamfara State who had come under intense heat from military onslaughts.
In the Northeast, air strikes were also conducted by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai on 25 July 2023 at a terrorists’ hideout located about 1.5Km East of Arra in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
Arra was once a well-known terrorists’ hideout near Sambisa Forest that was cleared of terrorists by the Land Component of Operation Hadin Kai.
The intelligence-driven strikes followed days and weeks of careful observation of the location which had revealed suspected terrorists armed with various firearms who used the covers of trees and other vegetation to hide their motorcycles and trucks to evade detection.
The aftermath of the air strikes revealed several terrorists neutralized and their weapons, equipment and structures destroyed.
Air strikes by Air Components of the various joint operating theaters have recently been ramped up to deny terrorists, militants and other criminal elements freedom of action.
The directive to all component commanders is to ensure they keep these terrorists on their toes and ensure they and their supporters are on the run until they surrender.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Hasan Abubakar has expressed delight with the heightened level of morale and commitment among NAF pilots and other support staff while also encouraging them to maintain the momentum,"said the sources.
