In continuation of Operation Thunder Strike 2, the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation Lafiya Dole, on 5 September 2018, successfully destroyed some Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) facilities and equipment at Alafa Yagayaga in Sambisa Forest as well as a suspected BHT ammunition depot in Kusuma on the fringes of Lake Chad, Borno State.
The air strikes against BHTs at Alafa Yagayaga were targeted at structures within the settlement that had been identified via previous Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions to be rendezvous (RV) points for the insurgents.
Consequently, a combination of NAF fighter aircraft and helicopter gunships were detailed to carry out air interdiction on the locations, while the NAF ISR aircraft conducted Battle Damage Assessment (BDA).
The attack platforms acquired the targets and took turns to attack the location, destroying the structures and killing most of the BHTs in the process.
The few surviving BHTs, seen fleeing the area, were strafed and neutralized by the helicopter gunships.
The attack at Kusuma was initiated following credible intelligence indicating the presence of a BHT logistics/ammunition depot within the settlement.
Accordingly, the ATF detailed a fighter aircraft to attack the insurgents’ position, while the NAF ISR aircraft conducted BDA.
At the end of the attacks, the BDA revealed a direct hit on the ammunition depot, which was engulfed in fire while some other adjoining BHT structures were equally destroyed and the occupying terrorists neutralized.
A statement by Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said, “It would also be highly appreciated if the attached short video clip, which is now declassified, were shown to the general public for them to witness parts of the air strikes.”
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