NAF strikes terrorist enclaves in Borno

• The IED factory relocated multiple times before being located in Grazah, Mandara Mountains, under surveillance.
• The airstrike destroyed the IED factory, two gun trucks, and neutralized terrorists. 

The Nigerian Air Force said on Thursday that it has destroyed a suspected IED factory in Borno State.

The factory, located in Grazah, Mandara Mountains, was targeted by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai.

Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet confirmed the success of the operation, marking a significant milestone in the fight against terrorism.

“Concerned by recent attacks, especially on innocent civilians in Borno State using Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and suicide bombers, and in a bid to achieve the mandate of the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, air strikes were conducted on terrorists’ enclaves at Grazah, a location deep in the Mandara Hills, on August 2, 2024.”

According to Gabkwet, the air strikes were prompted by intelligence reports indicating the presence of a possible IED factory and storage area for other logistics. The IED factory had been suspected of relocating from Gwoza to the Timbuktu Triangle in Sambisa Forest, and finally to Grazah in the Mandara Hills.

“The frequent relocation of the IED factory has been attributed to the substantial firepower exerted on terrorists’ enclaves by the combined efforts of the entire security apparatus of Operation Hadin Kai.”

He further explained that the IED factory location at Grazah had been under surveillance for weeks, with various installations observed and activities of armed terrorists in the area found to be consistent with those protecting a strategic location.

“Two gun trucks were sighted tucked under a large tree near the suspected IED factory.”

Gabkwet added that these findings necessitated the need for an air strike to destroy the suspected IED factory and neutralize the terrorists.

“Consequently, the targets were acquired and effectively destroyed. The aftermath of the air strikes, followed by a thick cloud of smoke, indicated that the suspected IED factory, as well as the two gun trucks, were effectively destroyed, while several terrorists were neutralized.”