CAS orders Air Component Commanders to stop at nothing to eliminate terrorists
By Lawrence Audu
The Chief of Air Staff Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar has commended the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai for the successes it has recorded so far in the fight against insurgents in the Northeast of Nigeria.
The CAS equally directed Air Component Commanders in all joint operating theatres, “Stop at nothing in going after these criminals and ensure they are brought to justice. The era of treating them with kids’ gloves is long over.”
Air Marshal Abubakar made the call as the Air Component makes an effort to eliminate the remaining terrorists in the Northeast and rid the region of all terrorist elements, with the conduct of an early morning airstrike on September 11, 2023, targeting Suwa in the Kala Balge Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State.
Read Also: Oil Theft: We’ve acquired aircrafts fitted to operate at night—NAF
Recall that Suwa was a stronghold of Boko Haram Terrorists in Gezuwa general area near Sambisa Forest until its dislodgement by the military and other security agencies.
In a statement Tuesday, the Director of Public Relations and Information Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet said recent intelligence, however, revealed the massing up of terrorists within the area with likely plans to attack troops on patrol along major routes to Bama and Mafa LGA.
Further intelligence he said, also revealed that the same group of terrorists had perfected plans to attack troops stationed around Rann in Kalabalge LGA.
“Accordingly, air strikes were authorized with confirmatory assessments revealing several terrorists neutralized and structures destroyed thereby degrading their ability to attack friendly forces and innocent law-abiding civilians.
“It has now become evident that the efforts of the entire security agencies operating in the Northeast has, to a large extent, yielded the requisite outcome, though a lot still needs to be done. The need to sustain the momentum is thus expedient, just all the support of all Nigerians to the Armed Forces and other security agencies is essential as they clear the Region of all criminal elements.” He adds.
CAS orders Air Component Commanders to stop at nothing to eliminate terrorists