- Precision airstrikes and ground operations confirm destruction of arms cache and logistics hub.
The Nigerian Armed Forces, in a coordinated operation on Christmas Day, neutralized key hideouts of the Lakurawa Terrorist Group (LTG) in Silame Local Government Area (LGA) of Sokoto State. The Defence Headquarters confirmed the success of the operation, which targeted terrorist dens at Gidan Bisa and Gidan Runtuwa in the Jirikon Forest.
Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, stated, “The Armed Forces of Nigeria has a duty to defend citizens from terrorists, either through peaceful means or by force of arms. This operation underscores that commitment.”
The operation, codenamed Operation Fansan Yamma, combined precision airstrikes with ground forces who secured the area and engaged locals to gather intelligence.
Key Details of the Operation:
- Target Confirmation: Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, corroborated by Human Intelligence (HUMINT), confirmed significant terrorist activity in the area.
- Precision Airstrikes: At 0600hrs on December 25, 2024, air assets launched precision-guided munitions to minimize collateral damage, targeting identified hideouts and terrorist infrastructure.
- Ground Support: Land troops blocked escape routes, conducted post-strike assessments, and interacted with locals who confirmed the terrorists had been using the village as a staging ground.
Impact:
The airstrikes successfully destroyed an arms cache and a logistics dump, triggering secondary explosions that neutralized 10 individuals. Efforts are ongoing to determine whether the casualties included terrorist collaborators.
“Ground forces confirmed the hideouts were neutralized with minimal damage to the surrounding village,” Major General Buba said.
Local Engagement:
Locals corroborated military intelligence, revealing that Lakurawa terrorists had been operating from the village. However, the military emphasized its commitment to avoiding civilian casualties, describing any loss of innocent lives as a “needless tragedy.”
Strategic Outcomes:
The operation has disrupted a significant hub for terrorist activities in the region, underlining the military’s resolve to safeguard national security. The Defence Headquarters reaffirmed its commitment to sustained intelligence-driven operations to dislodge terrorist threats across Nigeria.
“Our operations remain guided by a commitment to protect citizens and minimize harm to non-combatants,” Buba concluded.
