Troops of the Nigerian Air Force have bombarded the enclave of the leader of the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP), Fiya Ba Yuram, in Sambisa forest with fighter jets.
The airstrikes, which were carried out on some specific targets in the Tunbuns and Sambisa, reportedly killed scores of terrorists hibernating within the enclaves.
Daily Trust had reported that Fiya Ba Yuram succeeded the late Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, after he was killed by a rival terror group.
After taking over the leadership of the Boko Haram sect, he switched allegiance to ISWAP.
NAF spokesman, Edward Gabkwet, an Air Commodore, confirmed the development in an interview with journalists in Abuja, saying “the NAF won’t, however, be drawn into the details of those neutralized.”
One of the troops who were part of the operations said, “The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) and other security agencies have continued to synergize and pull their resources together towards ensuring that terrorists, insurgents and other criminal elements are completely eliminated for the sake of peace and security of the nation.
“In particular, Nigerian Air Force aircraft have remained a critical factor in the counterterrorism and counterinsurgency strategies and efforts currently ongoing in the various theatres of operation nationwide. Indeed as recent as yesterday, 21 August 2022, NAF aircraft under the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI carried out some strikes on terrorists enclave in Sambisa Forest and the Tumbuns in Borno State with varying degrees of success recorded.
“Acting on credible and actionable intelligence, NAF aircraft were directed to an active location in Sambisa Forest believed to be the enclave of notorious terrorist, Fiya Ba Yuram. Fiya Ba Yuram is the current ISWAP leader of Sambisa Forest who took over the leadership following the demise of Abubakar Shekau.
“Please note that the title ‘Fiya’ connotes the most senior position in the terrorist’s military leadership structure. Note also that Yuram was an ally of Shekau until his demise after which he switched allegiance to ISWAP.”
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