In continuation with a series of air strikes aimed at fracturing the will of remnants of terrorists to fight as well as denying them their freedom of movement, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai has conducted air interdiction missions at Belowa, near Lake Chad, killing top insurgents kingpins.

It was learnt that the air strikes became necessary after intelligence revealed the convergence of some ISWAP leaders and fighters from surrounding areas for a meeting with the motive of planning attacks.

Accordingly, a source said Nigerian Air Force, NAF, aircraft were dispatched to the location of the meeting at Belowa, which was confirmed to be active.

The location was subsequently engaged with rockets and bombs in multiple passes. An hour after the strikes, two vehicles conveying about 13 injured surviving terrorists to another hideout were struck through precision strikes by an airforce war jet.

Military intelligence sources revealed that after the strikes, ISWAP kingpin, Ali Kwaya who is a key member of the ISWAP Shura Council and Bukar Mainoka were among those neutralized in the strikes.

Similar strikes were also conducted on November 4, 2022, at Ngwuri Gana in Bama LGA, a location East of Maiduguri.