The Nigerian Air Force has said its airstrikes killed several terrorists and destroyed their vehicles at Dabar Masara, a known terrorist enclave in the Southern Tumbuns area of Borno State.
NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said in a statement on yesterday that the operation was carried out on December 14, following “credible intelligence” obtained through coordinated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, which indicated the presence of a terrorist workshop and sustained movement of armed elements in the area.
Ejodame said earlier ISR missions had also revealed terrorist activity in the location, including a large number of vehicles hidden under vegetation, confirming the area as an active terrorist logistics hub.
He said: “On the day of the operation, further surveillance validated the earlier findings, with terrorists observed manoeuvring within the location and around the identified vehicles.
“Following positive identification and in strict adherence to the Rules of Engagement, the targets were engaged. Post-operation Battle Damage Assessment confirmed that the identified vehicles were destroyed and terrorist elements were neutralised.
“The successful execution of this mission underscores the NAF’s continued commitment to intelligence-driven, precise air operations in support of national efforts to degrade terrorist networks and enhance security across affected regions.”
However, residents of the Mararaba area in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State have alleged that airstrikes aimed at terrorist positions in the area resulted in the deaths of an unspecified number of civilians.
According to the residents, the airstrikes were carried out between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m., killing fishermen and commercial drivers who had gathered at a terminus junction along the road linking Daban Masara in Kukawa Local Government Area and Badeiri in Marte Local Government Area.
The commercial drivers were said to have assembled in the area to transport fish products and fishermen to various destinations when the strikes occurred.
Residents further alleged that three people were killed and 10 vehicles destroyed, adding that some of the injured victims were taken to the General Hospital in Monguno for medical treatment.
As of the time of filing this report, NAF authorities had yet to respond to the allegations.
