The Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) on 17 July,2023 killed about 22 terrorists mostly foot soldiers of the deceased notorious terrorists’ kingpin Alhaji Abdulkareem Lawal, aka Abdulkareem Boss, in air strikes at Batsari and Sola Poi II in Batsari and Jibia local government areas of Katsina State.
Military sources said the air strikes were executed following credible intelligence reports that the terrorists were responsible for several abductions and violent attacks on some communities within the Kankara local government area of Katsina State.
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Further intelligence reports at Sola Poi II revealed a large number of terrorists hibernating at the location with the aim of kidnapping and attacking commuters along Jibia-Katsina road.
Subsequently, the Air Component of OPHD executed waves of air interdiction missions which acquired the targets in multiple passes killing several terrorists and destroying their structures and hideouts.
Earlier air strikes by NAF on August 6,2022 eliminated terrorist leader Alhaji Abdulkareem Lawal aka Abdulkareem Boss and some of his foot soldiers at Ruga Forest in Katsina State.
The late Abdulkareem Boss was alleged to have masterminded the killing of a Nigeria Police Area Commander of Dutsinma on 5 July 2022, amidst several other atrocities.
A source had revealed that the Air Component of OPHD, “after days of careful planning and coordination had on 6 August 2022, carried out successful strikes on Abdulkareem’s enclaves and hideouts located at Rugu Forest in Katsina State, leading to his elimination.” The source had further stated that Abdulkareem Boss was a highly valued target who had been on the radar of the Nigerian military and other security agencies for a while.
He was based in Marina area of Safana LGA and was responsible for several terrorists’ attacks, animal rustlings and kidnappings.
When contacted, NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, confirmed the airstrikes but declined making any further comment on the subject matter.
He however noted that the chief of the air staff, Air Vice Marshal Hassan Abubakar has since assumption of office, directed all air component commanders to jointly synergize their efforts with other security agencies as they bring to bear NAF’s fire power on all terrorists’ targets and their enclaves.