The Nigerian Air Force reported that its operations as part of Operation HADARIN DAJI have resulted in the deaths of numerous terrorists in Safana and Birnin Magaji local government areas of Katsina state. Aerial strikes targeted the hideouts of terror leaders, Maudi Maudi and Alhaji Na-Shama, on March 5 and 6 respectively. However, the Air Force could not confirm if Maudi Maudi and Alhaji Na-Shama were among those killed. The Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI) of the NAF, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Edward Gabkwet, disclosed this in a recent statement.
Gabkwet explained that the airstrikes also targeted the strongholds of other terrorists south of Tsaskiya in Safana. The decision to strike was based on painstaking intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance operations. The surveillance revealed clusters of huts with armed terrorists among them, leading to the authorization to strike. A post-strike Battle Damage Assessment showed the targeted locations engulfed in flames, with some terrorists fleeing to safety.
On March 6, similar strikes were carried out on the stronghold of terrorist kingpin Alhaji Na-Shama in Zamfara State. The strikes resulted in the neutralization of several of Na-Shama’s associates and the destruction of his camp and logistics. However, it is yet to be confirmed if Na-Shama was among those killed. The precision strikes by NAF aircraft have continued to yield expected outcomes, eliminating several terrorists and destroying their means of mobility. These efforts aim to protect civilian lives and disrupt terrorist logistics support bases and motorcycles, aligning with the mission objectives of Operation Hadarin Daji, which focuses on securing the Northwestern region of Nigeria from terrorism, kidnapping, and banditry.
