Air Strike Kills 15 Terrorists in Borno, Military Says

Nigerian troops killed 15 terrorists in a precision air strike near Pulka in Borno State late Friday, the military said Saturday.

The Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, carried out the strike northwest of Pulka in Gwoza Local Government Area at about 11:50 p.m. on Oct. 23, according to a statement from Capt. Mohammed Goni, acting military information officer at the task force headquarters.

Goni said the strike followed credible intelligence and confirmed sightings of terrorist movements in the area. Ground troops then moved in to exploit the area and consolidate the gains, he said.

“The operation underscores the effectiveness of intelligence-driven targeting and coordinated military action in disrupting terrorist movements and degrading their operational capabilities,” Goni said.

He said the strike was part of sustained offensive operations meant to deny terrorists freedom of action and keep them from threatening communities across the North-East.

The Theatre Command remains committed to defeating terrorism and insurgency, protecting law-abiding citizens and creating conditions for normalcy and socio-economic activity to return to affected communities, Goni said.

He assured the public that troops would keep up the momentum of ongoing operations “with vigilance, determination and professionalism.”

The military urged residents to keep working with security agencies by giving timely and credible information on suspicious movements and activities.

It said sustained collaboration between security forces and civilians is crucial to consolidating operational gains and achieving lasting peace and security in the North-East.