The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has killed nine fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), including a senior commander responsible for providing security escorts for the movement of high-value members of the terrorist group, in a precision airstrike in Borno State.
The operation, conducted on Saturday, targeted suspected ISWAP fighters operating in the Sambisa Forest area following credible intelligence on their activities and movements.
The NAF, in a statement issued on Sunday by Ehimen Ejodame, its Director of Public Relations and Information, said the operation was conducted after a Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) was deployed to carry out persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) over the area.
According to the statement, the surveillance operation enabled the military to identify and track a group of suspected terrorists as they moved towards a suspected hideout.
“Following positive identification and confirmation of the target, the NAF aircraft conducted a precision engagement on the location,” the statement said.
