By Paul Michael, Defence Editor, Abuja
A rain of multiple missiles at some training camps of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) along the Lake Chad axis by the Air Components of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) has led to the killings of several commanders while scores are injured.
A military intelligence source who spoke to PRNigeria in confidence said that the coordinated attacks were spearheaded by the Nigerian Air Force on Thursday, April 14, 2022, at Tumbun Rego, The Trumpet gathered.
He said the airstrikes led to the elimination of key ISWAP leaders such as Ibn Usman, Hani Abdullahi, Abakar Shuwa, Abu Jibrillah and Abu Ali among many terrorists that were killed while several others injured.
He further stated that a mop-up operations were conducted by the Nigerian Army under Operation Lake Sanity on the area on April 15, 2022, which led to the capturing of the terrorists camps in Tumbun.
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He said, “The Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) of the joint air taskforce on April 13, 2022, specifically sighted a large number of terrorists, a logistics and training camp, about 29 motorcycles and 4 vehicles concealed under trees at Tumbun Rego.
“With the credible intelligence, that indicated that the location also served as an abode for some top ISWAP commanders, the joint airstrikes were conducted on April 14 April 2022 which led to the elimination of Key ISWAP leaders including Ibn Usman, Hani Abdullahi, Abakar Shuwa, Abu Jibrillah and Abu Ali.
“Using a mix of NAF and Nigerien Air Force aircraft, the aircraft attacked the adjoining locations that serve as havens of their fighters, followers and families.
“On April 15, 2022, the mop-up operations were conducted by the Nigerian Army under Operation Lake Sanity who have already captured most of the terrorists’ enclaves in Sambisa Forest and with their ongoing onslaught in the Tumbuns.
“The airstrikes and the operations of the ground troops have led to the death of scores of terrorists where many others were seriously injured.”