Troops of the Operation LAFIA DOLE and the Multi National Joint Task Force MNJTF, rescue one hundred and sixty five victims from BOKO Haram captivity
In a statement by the Nigerian Army Operations Media Coordinator, Colonel Aminu Iliaysu indicates that, the victims mostly women and children were liberated during clearance operations in northern part of Borno State, North-East Nigeria.
Colonel Iliaysu notes that, seventy five suspected terrorists were arrested, others killed, Arms and fifteen cars recovered during the encounter.
Meanwhile, several Boko Haram terrorists have been neutralised and some structures in their camp at Abulam in the Sambisa Forest area of Borno State destroyed in airstrikes conducted by the Air Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE
Director Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola in a statement says the mission was executed to mark the commencement of Operation RATTLESNAKE 2, an Air Interdiction Operation aimed at taking out some identified insurgent camps and logistics facilities in order to further unhinge the terrorists’ center and diminish their fighting capability
He added that Abullam was selected for an attack on ‘Day One’ of the Operation based on credible intelligence reports indicating that the terrorists had resumed using the once-abandoned settlement as a staging point from where they launch attacks against Army ground troops’ locations
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Accordingly, the Air Task Force detailed its attack aircraft, supported by an Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance aircraft, to attack designated compounds within the settlement
The jets he noted, took turns to engage the target in successive passes leading to the destruction of some of the structures as well as the killing of several terrorists
It will be recalled that in December 2019, the Nigerian Air Force planned and executed the highly successful Operation RATTLESNAKE and Operation RATTLESNAKE 2 to consolidate the gains of the earlier operation and shape the battle-space for further air and ground operations.
