Air force high command say their jet fighters hit terrorist targets in Sambisa Forest

NIGERIAN Air Force (Naf) commanders are claiming that their aircraft successfully bombed Islamic State of West African Province (Iswap) facilities in Sambisa Forest in Borno State with varying degrees of successes.

Over the weekend, Sambisa Forest in Borno State, came under heavy bombardment from Naf fighter jets, with military commanders saying they attacked the enclave of Iswap leader Fiya Ba Yuram. Since 2009, Boko Haram and Iswap have been waging war against the Nigerian state as they seek to establish a pure Islamic theocracy in the northeast of the country.

From their stronghold in Sambisa Forest in Borno State,  these terrorist groups still carry out sporadic raids, attacking military facilities, kidnapping and ransacking villages. Over the last month, however, they stepped up their operations, attacking a security facility in Abuja to free some of their colleagues.

Naf spokesman Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said the recent strikes were carried out against specific targets in the Tunbuns and Sambisa forests with varying degrees of successes recorded. He added that the Naf would not, however, be drawn into the details of those neutralised.

One other military source added: “Nigeria's armed forces and other security agencies have continued to synergize and pull their resources together towards ensuring that terrorists, insurgents and other criminal elements are completely eliminated for the sake of peace and security of the nation. In particular, Nigerian Air Force aircraft have remained a critical factor in the counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency strategies and efforts currently ongoing in the various theatres of operation nationwide.

"Indeed as recently as August 20, Naf aircraft under the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai carried out some strikes on terrorists enclaves in Sambisa Forest and the Tumbuns in Borno State with varying degrees of success recorded. Acting on credible and actionable intelligence, Naf aircraft were directed to an active location in Sambisa Forest believed to be the enclave of notorious terrorist, Fiya Ba Yuram.

"Now, Fiya Ba Yuram is the current Iswap leader who took over the leadership following the demise of Abubakar Shekau. Please note that the title Fiya connotes the most senior position in the terrorist’s military leadership structure and also note also that Yuram was an ally of Shekau until his demise after which he switched allegiance to Iswap."

He added that similar air strikes were also undertaken in the Tunbuns near Lake Chad after suspected terrorists’ activities were observed in the area. It is believed that their facility there is a training camp and in the  aftermath of the air strikes, pandemonium broke out as the remnants of the terrorist cell took cover in trees.