Air strikes against identified terrorists’ hideouts and enclaves in Borno State, North-East Nigeria, thickened at the weekend. Sources revealed that sequel to intelligence report received from Land Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) on October 29, 2023 that about 22 terrorists in a gun truck and two motorcycles were sighted near Marte, NAF aircraft of the Air Component of OPHK were immediately dispatched to interdict the location.

However, Spokesman of the Nigeria Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said: “After scanning the area, the terrorists were sighted at about 22 km west of Marte and moving northwards towards Munguno. After trailing them for about 70 minutes, the terrorists in the gun truck and two motorcycles stopped underneath a tree, probably to refuel or evade being seen.

“The targets were subsequently engaged with a huge ball of fire engulfing the area, destroying the gun truck and motorcycles with no sign of movement observed afterward.

“The huge explosion could be indicative that the point where the terrorists hid was likely a logistics base or their vehicle was conveying weapons or explosive ordinances.

“The failed strategies adopted by terrorists to evade detection and the fire power of the land and air components of Operation Hadin Kai by moving from one point to another is indicative of their inability to hold ground and pose significant threats to military formations or pick on soft civilian targets at will. They continued to exhibit desperation and weakness through their conduct.

MEANWHILE, a police officer deployed to MOPOL 53, Inspector Luka, has been killed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in his farm at Indimi Housing Estate, Bama, Borno State.

The Guardian learnt that the terrorists hid in a tree, yesterday, and captured the police officer by seizing his rifle and removing his uniform, before killing him with his pair of shorts on.