Airstrikes by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) have killed scores of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram terrorists who converged in about 20 boats for a meeting around an island in Lake Chad.
The fighter jets under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) carried out the operations as they continued their “onslaught on terrorist and insurgent targets on islands and localities around the Lake Chad.”
NAF in a statement issued on Saturday by its director of public relations and information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said, “Credible intelligence was received on October 20 that about 20 boats carrying suspected insurgents and ISWAP terrorists were converging for meetings on an island in Tumbuns on the Lake Chad, as well as at Malam-Fatori.
“Three NAF aircraft were consequently scrambled to carry out strikes on the targets.
“Reaching overhead the targets, the pilots observed a gathering of about 20 boats consisting of five to seven suspected insurgents in each, using a mix of bombs and rockets.
“The three aircraft carried out series of strikes and recorded devastating hits on the targets leaving some survivors scrambling for their lives.
“The operations by the air component, once again, confirm the high concentration of insurgent elements in the Lake Chad general area.”
He said the air force will continue to work alongside the army, navy and other security agencies under OPHK to sustain its operations until the area is rid of insurgents.
