Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft under Operation Hadin Kai have continued their onslaught on terrorist and insurgent targets on islands and localities around the Lake Chad.
The latest onslaught has led to decimating of dozens of terrorists converging in a boat around the area.
NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet who spoke on the latest breakthrough noted that on receiving credible Intelligence on 20 October 2021 that about 20 boats with suspected Boko Haram /ISWAP terrorists were converging for a meeting on an Island in the Tumbuns on the Lake Chad and at Malam Fatori, 3 NAF aircraft under Operation Hadin Kai were scrambled to carry out strikes on the targets.
“Reaching overhead the targets, the pilots observed a gathering of about 20 boats consisting of 5-7 suspected terrorists in each boat. Using a mix of bombs and rockets, the 3 aircraft carried out series of strikes and scored devastating hits on the targets leaving some survivors scrambling for their lives.
“The operation by the air component of Operation Hadin Kai yet again confirms the high concentration of terrorist and insurgent elements hibernating in the Lake Chad general area. Working alongside the Army and Naval components as well as other security agencies under Operation HADIN KAI, the Air Component will continue to sustain its operation until the area is rid of all terrorists and insurgents.”
NAF fighting capacity was boosted by the delivery of all the 12 A-29 Super Tucano fighter jets from the United States.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, had described the fighter jets as a “game changer” and saying that they have been used for operations in the north-east.
It would be recalled that the first batch of 6 A-29 Super Tucano aircraft arrived Kano, on July 22, 2021.
On arrival, the aircraft were received by the Honourable Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (Rtd), alongside the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao.
A-29, is a turboprop light attack aircraft designed and built by Embraer as a development of the Embraer EMB 312 Tucano.
The A-29 Super Tucano carries a wide variety of weapons, including precision-guided munitions, and was designed to be a low-cost system operated in low-threat environments.