The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has has started heavy bombardment of Sambisa Forest, the notorious hideout of Boko Haram insurgents.
This comes shortly after President Muhammadu Buhari’s order to the new service chiefs to tackle terrorism within a 3-month period and the deployment of new aircraft to ensure a more effective fight.
The fresh statement by the director of air force public relations Dele Alonge reads:
“The Nigerian military in its resolution to incapacitate and further degrade the fighting spirit of Boko Haram Terrorist Group (BHT), has carried out several bombings and air strike missions in Sambisa Forest.
“The strike missions came after several weeks of tactical reconnaissance by the reconnaissance/ surveillance aircraft.
“The air strikes carried out by F-7NI and Alpha Jet fighter aircraft, as well as attack helicopters have resulted in the degradation of the terrorist’s capabilities and destruction of some of their strong holds.
“Intelligence report revealed that as aftermath of the strike missions, the terrorists have been confined and their capabilities greatly reduced, thereby restricting their nefarious activities to small scale attacks and suicide bombings.
“The chief of air staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, assures all Nigerians that the air efforts would be sustained until the Boko Haram activities becomes a thing of the past. He further stated that, the Nigerian Air Force with their support is Willing, Able and Ready to meet up with current and future security challenges of the nation.”
Earlier this year the Nigerian troops rescued scores of children and women from Boko Haram captivity in Sambisa Forest. Several brilliant operations in the area generated many praiseful reactions from Nigerians and boosted the morale of the army.
Recall that in the August 13 statement Alonge noted that technical upgrade and provision of additional platforms in the northeast were in line with President Buhari’s order to bring an end to terrorism in Nigeria.
The country leader once again demonstrated his resolution to deal with the challenge of insecurity when he was decorating the newly-appointed service chiefs. Having carried out a major shake-up in the military, Buhari let the appointees know that he expected enhanced and improved effort to ensure the victory in the anti-Boko Haram war.
