Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has said its airstrikes killed several terrorists and destroyed their vehicles at Dabar Masara, a known terrorist enclave in the Southern Tumbuns of Borno State.
NAF’s spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said in a statement yesterday that the strikes were conducted on December 14, after “credible intelligence” through coordinated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions indicated the presence of a terrorist workshop and sustained movement of armed elements in the areas.
According to Ejodame, prior ISR missions had also indicated terrorist movements in the area, as well as a significant concentration of vehicles concealed under vegetation, which confirmed the location as an active terrorist logistics hub.
He said: “On the day of the operation, further surveillance validated the earlier findings, with terrorists observed manoeuvring within the location and around the identified vehicles.
“Following positive identification and in strict adherence to the Rules of Engagement, the targets were engaged. Post-operation Battle Damage Assessment confirmed that the identified vehicles were destroyed and terrorist elements were neutralised.
“The successful execution of this mission underscores the NAF’s continued commitment to intelligence-driven, precise air operations in support of national efforts to degrade terrorist networks and enhance security across affected regions.”
However, residents of the Mararaba area in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State have alleged that airstrikes targeting terrorists’ positions in the area killed an unspecified number of civilians.
The residents reportedly said the airstrikes were carried out between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m., killing fishermen and commercial drivers who had gathered at a terminus junction on the road leading to Daban Masara in Kukawa Local Government Area and Badeiri in Marte Local Government Area.
The commercial drivers had reportedly gathered in the area to convey the fish products and fishermen to their destinations, when the strikes hit the area.
Residents reportedly said three people were killed and 10 vehicles destroyed, adding that some of the injured were taken to the General Hospital in Mungono for treatment.
NAF authorities had yet to respond to the development at the time of filing this report.
