The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says Operation Whirl Punch (OPWP) cleared a terrorist logistics base at Yadi Forest, located within the Giwa local government area of Kaduna State.
The troops engaged the area on Friday, September 27, 2024, following reliable intelligence that indicated a significant presence of terrorists and their armaments in the Yadi Forest.
In a statement issued over the weekend, Group Captain Kabiru Ali, the Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information for the NAF, explained that thorough intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance efforts confirmed the terrorists’ presence along with their motorcycles in the area.
The statement also highlighted that further intelligence identified the logistics base as belonging to the infamous terrorist leader, Kadade Gurgu, who is known to be a close associate of Dogo Gide.
“Intelligence available to the NAF Air Component indicated that Kadade Gurgu has been offering refuge to various notorious terrorist leaders in light of the intensified military operations in Sokoto and Zamfara States,” he remarked.
Ali elaborated that the Air Component deployed an aircraft, supported by an Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform, to execute the strike, noting that the target area initially seemed deserted.
However, he mentioned that as the aircraft neared the location, several terrorists were observed emerging from the underbrush and fleeing the scene.
“Subsequently, the target were engaged recording successful hits on the logistics facility, which was engulfed in flames with thick black smoke seen,” Ali said.
Ali noted further that independent sources, including local informants from the surrounding area, subsequently verified that the logistics base had been completely obliterated and numerous terrorists had been eliminated as a consequence of the assault, according to his statements.
He emphasized that the Nigerian Air Force, in conjunction with ground forces, will persist in asserting control over the operational environment by maintaining comprehensive situational awareness, conducting regular patrols, and executing precise strikes against the safe havens of bandits within its jurisdiction and adjacent states.
Ali indicated that the operation aimed to significantly reduce and eradicate terrorism and criminal activities in the North-West and North-Central regions.
