The Nigerian Airforce has revealed its aerial bombardment of the enclave of the leader of the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP), Fiya Ba Yuram, in Sambisa forest.
The hideout came under heavy bombardment from Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets, following a sustained fight against terrorists across the nation.
Fiya Ba Yuram succeeded the late Abubakar Shekau, leader of Boko Haram terrorists who killed himself after rival clashes with the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP). But after he succeeded, Fiya Ba Yuram switched allegiance to ISWAP.
The revelation was given on Monday by the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, who said the airstrikes was based on intelligence and it was successful.
The specific targets, he opined, are,
Tunbuns and Sambisa, but added that “the NAF won’t however be drawn into the details of those neutralized.’
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) and other security agencies have continued to synergize and pull their resources together towards ensuring that terrorists, insurgents and other criminal elements are completely eliminated for the sake of peace and security of the nation.
“In particular, Nigerian Air Force aircraft have remained a critical factor in the counterterrorism and counterinsurgency strategies and efforts currently ongoing in the various theatres of operation nationwide.
The Director said, the aircraft located and directed to the enclave of the terrorist leader in Samisa forest before bombing the enclave which he said was based on credible intelligence.
“Please note that the title’Fiya’ connotes the most senior position in the terrorist’s military leadership structure. Note also that Yuram was an ally of Shekau until his demise after which he switched allegiance to ISWAP”.
The source added: “On arrival, the location was observed to be active with terrorists seen gathering. Air strikes were then authorized and carried out on the location.
An assessment of the location after the strikes revealed it to be successful, though it remained unconfirmed if Fiya Ba Yuram was among the terrorists neutralized in the strikes.
“Similar air strikes were also undertaken in the Tunbuns near Lake Chad after suspected terrorists’ activities were observed in the area believed to be a training camp.
The targets were subsequently acquired and engulfed in flames all after. The aftermath of the airstrike revealed that pandemonium broke out as the remnant of surviving terrorists took cover under nearby trees which were later struck by the aircraft.
The NAF was yet to confirm, if Fiya Ba Yuram was among the terrorists killed.
