Molly Kilete
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says that its Air Task Force (ATF) engaged in the counter-insurgency operations in the North East has destroyed more strongholds and logistics belonging to the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Borno State.
NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola who made this known in a statement, said the ISWAP camp was located at Tumbun Sale and Tumbun Allura on the fringes of Lake Chad in Borno State.
Daramola said the camp was discovered after intelligence reports revealed the presence of ISWAP fighters moving along with some heavy vehicles and logistics support equipment that were well camouflaged under the dense vegetation within the settlements.
The statement made available to our correspondent reads “The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has destroyed Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists’ vehicle and some logistics infrastructure at Tumbun Sale and Tumbun Allura on the fringes of Lake Chad in Borno State.
“The operation was conducted on 8 March 2019 on the heels of intelligence reports indicating the presence of ISWAP fighters along with some vehicles and logistics support items well camouflaged under the dense vegetation within the settlements.
“Accordingly, a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet, supported by an Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform, was dispatched to attack the terrorists’ hideouts in successive strikes resulting in damage to several structures as well as the destruction of one of the terrorists’ vehicles, which was seen engulfed in flames.
“The NAF, operating in concert with surface forces, will sustain its efforts to completely destroy all remnants of the terrorists in the Northeast.”