Air strikes from Nigerian Air Force Aircraft have killed many terrorists holding meeting at Kurebe in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, The PUNCH has learnt.
The meeting was said to have been conveyed by a Boko Haram terrorist commander identified as Aminu Duniya and attracted many members of the sect.
A source involved in the operation, who did not want his name in print because he was not directed to speak to journalists on the matter, revealed that the air strikes resulted in the death of many terrorists.
It was however not clear if Duniya was also killed in the operation.
The source said, “Over the weekend, NAF aircraft struck terrorists’ gathering at Kurebe in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State after intelligence revealed that terrorists had assembled for an important meeting hosted by Aminu Duniya, a Boko Haram terrorist commander.
“Aminu Duniya was said to have invited the terrorists to his enclave at Kurebe for the meeting which obviously attracted numerous terrorists who came in large number on their motorbikes.
“The air strike was successful and it resulted in the death of many terrorists, though it remains unclear if Aminu Duniya was also neutralised in the strike.
“Kurebe is a known terrorists’ haven as the local inhabitants of Kurebe have since vacated the villages in and around the area after the terrorists drove them away in 2021.”
The source also said several terrorists were killed at an operation carried out in collaboration with ground troops in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna state.
He added, “Also, coordinated joint air and ground operations neutralised several terrorists operating around Damba-Galbi axis in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The activities of the terrorists continued to make life unbearable to locals in the area.
“So, when intelligence revealed that the terrorists planned overrunning a nearby village within the vicinity, the military saw that as an opportunity to surprise them.
“While Nigerian troops laid siege around the location, NAF aircraft were directed to the suspected location of the terrorists which was then attacked. Several terrorists were confirmed killed after the strike.”
The Nigerian Air Force’s spokesperson, Edward Gabkwet, confirmed the operations, describing them as successful.
