The Nigerian Air Force announced on Sunday that notorious terrorist and kidnap kingpin Janari, along with several members of his syndicate, has been neutralized in air strikes conducted by the air component of Operation WHIRL PUNCH.
Janari and his associates have been linked to numerous attacks and abductions within Kaduna State, as well as along the Abuja-Kaduna highway, according to a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet.
The decision to conduct the air strikes was made after Janari and his gang were spotted near Gadar Katako in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Gabkwet explained, “Further exploitation revealed that they were massing up for a likely attack or kidnapping of vulnerable civilians, hence the need to immediately attack the location.”
Following the strikes, intelligence confirmed that Janari and several other terrorists/kidnappers were eliminated. The operation aimed to disrupt their plans and protect potential victims.
Similar air strikes were also carried out on January 20, 2024, targeting confirmed terrorists and kidnappers’ hideouts near Chukuba in Niger State.
Gabkwet stated, “Feedback after the strikes was also positive as it confirmed that the targets were neutralized, and their mobility destroyed.”
Gabkwet assured Nigerians that collaborative efforts by the NAF and other security agencies will persist across all locations suspected of harboring terrorists and kidnappers.
