Air strikes undertaken by the air component of Operation Whirl Punch eliminated a well-known terrorist and kidnapping kingpin, Janari, and several members of his syndicate.
The strikes were executed on Thursday, January 18, 2024, after Janari and his gang were sighted at a location near Gadar Katako in the Igabi local government area of Kaduna State.
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A statement by the director of public relations and information, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, said Janari and his cohorts have been responsible for several attacks and abductions within Kaduna State as well as along the Abuja-Kaduna highway.
Gabkwet said Janari and his men were massing up for a likely attack or kidnapping of vulnerable civilians, hence the need to immediately attack the location.
“Intelligence received after the strike revealed that Janari was indeed eliminated alongside several other terrorists/kidnappers,” he said.
The director said similar air strikes were also carried out on January 20, 2024, on confirmed terrorists and kidnappers’ hideouts near Chukuba in Niger State, with various degrees of success.
“Feedback after the strikes was also positive, as it confirmed that the targets were neutralized and their mobility destroyed,” he added.
He reiterated that collaborative efforts by the NAF and other security agencies will continue across all locations suspected of harbouring terrorists and kidnappers.