The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has claimed a significant victory in the fight against terrorism on March 15, 2024, with the destruction of a key arms storage facility belonging to a notorious terror group operating in Niger State.
This success comes under the umbrella of Operation Whirl Punch, a military initiative aimed at flushing out terrorists in the Northwest and North-Central regions of Nigeria.
According to Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, the operation relied on credible intelligence to locate the arms depot. “The weapons are believed to be affiliated to a particular terrorist’s kingpin who is on the most wanted list of terrorists,” said Gabkwet.
The Army did not disclose the identity of the kingpin.
NAF targeted the storage facility in Palele, near Shiroro County. The air force claimed the airstrike resulted in a secondary explosion and concluded it had achieved complete destruction of the weapons stored there.
Air Commodore Gabkwet emphasized that authorization was obtained before the strike, ensuring appropriate measures were taken. This targeted action significantly disrupts the terrorists’ operations and weakens their logistical capabilities as NAF continues to counter terrorist threats in the country, he said.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
