In the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, the air component of Operation Whirl Punch claimed the lives of several militants.
The operation was conducted in response to an intelligence report indicating the presence of a terrorist kingpin, identified as Boderi and his associates, at the specified site.
Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, the Nigerian Air Force’s Director of Public Relations and Information, stated in a statement on Sunday that the air operations were effective, leading the service to launch a second operation that was aimed at Boderi’s brother.
According to him, the two brothers were behind multiple attacks on towns around the state and its surroundings.
“Terrorists operating in the North-West and North Central region of the country have been targeted by Nigerian Air Force aircraft under Operation Whirl Punch, resulting in the decimation of several terrorist elements at Tsauni Doka in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State,” the statement reads.
“Credible intelligence revealed the presence of terrorist kingpin Boderi and his foot soldiers at Tsauni Doka, necessitating the strikes.”
“Thereafter, in the wee hours of November 16, 2023, airstrikes were launched on the target, with disastrous outcomes for the terrorists.
Positive results from similar attacks were also obtained at a spot roughly 500 meters east of Boderi’s hiding place, which is thought to be the hiding place of Boderi’s brother, Nasiru. Given that multiple terrorists were neutralized and their motorcycles destroyed, both strikes were deemed to be quite successful.
“Several attacks and kidnappings along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road, as well as in several communities in Niger and Kaduna states, have been attributed to Boderi and his brother, Nasiru, and their cohorts.”