Twenty two terrorists have been killed during an air operation conducted by Air Force personnel in Katsina State.
The foot soldiers of terrorists’ kingpin, Abdulkareen Lawal, popularly known as Abdulkareen Boss, was said to be among those killed.
Boss was alleged to have masterminded the killing of a Area Commander of the Nigerian Police in Dutsin Ma on July 5, 2022.
He was said to have been killed alongside some of his foot soldiers in an air strikes in Ruga forest, Katsina state, on August 5, 2022.
Military sources said on Thursday that the attack on the terrorists was based on credible intelligence received by troops.
“Over 22 terrorists mostly made up of foot soldiers of the deceased notorious terrorists’ kingpin Abdulkareen Lawal, aka Abdulkareen Boss, were on Monday, July 17, 2023, neutralised by air strikes conducted by the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji at Batsari and Sola Poi II in Batsari and Jibia Local Government Areas of Katsina State.
“The strikes were executed following credible intelligence reports that the terrorists were responsible for several abductions and violent attacks on some communities within Kankara LGA of Katsina State”, the source said.
Spokesperson of the Nigerian Airforce (NAF), Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, confirmed the air strikes when contacted.
He said the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Hasan Abubakar had since his assumption of office, directed all air component commanders to synergise with other security agencies to target the terrorists’ hideouts.
NAF kill 22 terrorists in Katsina
