An air operation by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has eliminated no fewer than 80 terrorists in Gidan Kare Village of Ruwan Godiya Ward in the Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The NAF, in a statement signed by its spokesperson AVM Edward Gabkwet, on Monday said the air raid razed over 45 motorcycles.
The NAF said the strike that occurred on June 15, became “necessary following intelligence that terrorists numbering over 100 were reportedly burning houses at a settlement about five kilometres away from Gidan Kare Village.”
He said, “According to him, overhead the village at about 8.30 pm, several houses were observed to be on fire with the entire Village in pandemonium.
“Moments later, 12 motor cycles were seen departing the Village and trailed along a footpath out of the village to a location near Gidan Kare Village and Kuka Shidda Camp, where they joined a large number of their cohorts.
“Other terrorists were also observed arriving at the location from different directions, an indication that the location was a mass up point with the terrorists likely planning to further attack nearby villages.
“Having been presented with such a rare opportunity, authorization was sought, obtained and the location was immediately struck at exactly 9:40pm, with over 80 terrorists confirmed eliminated and about 45 motorcycles burnt down, while few surviving terrorists were observed fleeing or limping off.”
The NAF noted that further intelligence received after the strike revealed that the terrorists were closely linked with notorious terrorist kingpin Yusuf Yellow and his close associate Rabe Imani.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, while commending the efforts of the Air Component urged them not to relent in their efforts and dedication to the fight against terrorism and all forms of criminality in Nigeria.