Nigerian Air Force begins bombardment of Sambisa Forest

Forty-eight hours after President Muhammadu Buhari directed the Military High Command to ensure the end of Boko Haram in the next three months, Nigerian Airforce fighter jets recently deployed to the North East, have commenced air bombardments of Sambisa forest to decapitate the remaining terrorist’s camps and bunkers of the group.

A statement signed by the Director of Airforce Public Relations, Air Commodore dele Alonge said, “The Nigerian Military in its resolution to incapacitate and further degrade the fighting spirit of Boko Haram Terrorist Group (BHT), has carried out several bombings and air strike missions in Sambisa Forest.

“The strike missions came after several weeks of tactical reconnaissance by the reconnaissance/ surveillance aircraft.

“The air strikes carried out by F-7NI and Alpha Jet fighter aircraft, as well as attack helicopters have resulted in the degradation of the terrorist’s capabilities and destruction of some of their strong holds.

“Intelligence report revealed that as aftermath of the strike missions, the terrorists have been confined and their capabilities greatly reduced, thereby restricting their nefarious activities to small scale attacks and suicide bombings.

Continuing, Commodore Along said “The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar assures all Nigerians that the air efforts would be sustained until the Boko Haram Activities becomes a thing of the past.

He further stated that, the Nigerian Air Force with their support is ‘Willing, Able and Ready’ to meet up with current and future security challenges of the Nation.

Recall that last Thursday, the Chief of Air Staff, ordered the deployment of more fighter aircraft to the North East to help dislodge Boko Haram terrorists from the area.

Air Commodore Alonge had in a statement noted, “In a renewed drive to crush the fighting wills of the Boko Haram Terrorist (BHT) group, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has deployed additional combat platforms to North East Nigeria in support of the ongoing counter-insurgency operation codenamed ‘OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE’.

“The newly deployed platforms include the F-7Ni fighter (supersonic) aircraft, Mi-24/35 attack helicopters, Augusta 109 LUH, Super Puma Combat Support helicopter and ATR-42 surveillance aircraft which hitherto had been away for scheduled maintenance”.

Continuing Alonge said, “The provision of additional platforms in the North-East is in line with President Mohammadu Buhari’s mandate to bring an end to insurgency in the North-East.

“The new deployment is aimed at boosting existing military efforts to defeat the Boko Haram Terrorists. It is also expected to enhance the capability of the Nigerian Armed Forces to fight in a more proactive and efficient manner.”

Source: VANGUARD