A total of 22 terrorists were eliminated in an aerial operation carried out by the Air Force in Katsina State.
The casualties include members of Abdulkareen Lawal’s terrorist organisation, commonly referred to as Abdulkareen Boss.
Abdulkareem Boss was accused of orchestrating the murder of a Nigerian Police Area Commander in Dutsin Ma on July 5, 2022.
On August 5, 2022, Abdulkareem Boss and a group of his subordinates were killed in an airstrike conducted in the Ruga forest located in Katsina.
According to a military source, the attack leading to the terrorists’ death was carried out based on intelligence received by the troops.
The source said, “Over 22 terrorists mostly made up of foot soldiers of the deceased notorious terrorists’ kingpin Abdulkareen Lawal, aka Abdulkareen Boss, were on Monday, July 17, 2023, neutralised by air strikes conducted by the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji at Batsari and Sola Poi II in Batsari and Jibia Local Government Areas of Katsina State.
“The strikes were executed following credible intelligence reports that the terrorists were responsible for several abductions and violent attacks on some communities within Kankara LGA of Katsina State.”
Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, a spokesman for the NAF, confirmed the airstrikes when reached.
However, he pointed out that since taking office, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has ordered all air component commanders to coordinate with other security organisations to target the terrorists’ safe havens.
