The Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI has carried out a strike on a terrorist enclave in the Sambisa forest in Borno State, reportedly killing several insurgents.
The development was disclosed by a counter-insurgency and security analyst in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, who said the operation followed credible intelligence indicating increased insurgent activity around the Parisu axis deep within the forest.
Makama stated that at about 9:00 p.m. on March 20, an air asset was deployed to conduct an armed reconnaissance and interdiction mission over the targeted location.
According to him, upon arrival, the aircraft established visual contact with suspected Boko Haram fighters moving in a coordinated and tactical formation.
Further surveillance reportedly showed the insurgents gathering at a concealed structure hidden under dense vegetation.
Makama explained that while maintaining continuous overwatch, the aircrew tracked the movement to the hideout and carried out a precision strike.
The strike was said to have been executed with high accuracy, destroying the structure and neutralising multiple terrorists at the location.
A Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) conducted after the operation revealed that several insurgents fled from nearby hideouts in disarray, attempting to escape deeper into the forest.
“Maintaining pressure, the air platform tracked the fleeing elements and conducted a follow-up strike on another identified hideout.
“The second engagement further degraded the terrorists’ capabilities, destroying additional targets and forcing surviving fighters into chaotic retreat,” the source added.
