Air Force strike kills scores of militants in Borno enclave

By Zainab Uzomah| Abuja

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it has carried out an air strike on a suspected militant base in Kangarwa, in the Northern Tumbuns area of Borno State, killing many fighters.

In a statement signed by Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the air force said the strike was carried out on 1 April at about 12:05 pm after intelligence and surveillance confirmed the presence of armed groups in the area.

The NAF said its aircraft targeted locations where the fighters were gathered, hitting buildings and hideouts used by the group. It added that the strike destroyed key facilities and disrupted the activities of the militants.

According to the military, the operation has weakened the group and made it easier for ground troops under Operation Hadin Kai to move in and continue clearing the area.

The air force said the strike dealt a major blow tofighters linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, said the military would continue similar operations, working with ground forces to remove militant bases and improve security in the region.