By Emmanuel Obisue
In a decisive operation, the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, said it has successfully destroyed a major terrorist food depot and neutralized several fighters in Jubillaram, a key terrorist enclave in the Tumbuns area of the Lake Chad Basin.
Nigerian Pilot reports that the operation, executed on November 23, is seen as a significant blow to militant groups operating in the region, severely disrupting their logistics and operational capacity.
The target, Jubillaram, has long been identified as a stronghold for terrorist fighters and a critical supply point for food and resources used to sustain militant operations. The airstrike was carried out following extensive intelligence gathering, which had linked the location to recent terrorist activities, including a deadly attack on Nigerian troops in Kareto on November 16.
According to a statement from Air Commodore Olusola F. Akinboyewa, Director of Public Relations and Information at the Nigerian Air Force, the air interdiction mission, launched by NAF fighter jets, successfully destroyed key structures within the enclave. These structures were used both as food storage and as a base for terrorist commanders and fighters.
“Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions were crucial in confirming the presence of terrorist elements in the area,” Akinboyewa said. “The operation resulted in the destruction of storage facilities and the neutralization of a significant number of terrorists, further weakening their capacity to launch future attacks”.
In addition to the targeted airstrikes, mop-up operations were conducted using cannon fire to eliminate fleeing hostile fighters. The combined efforts of NAF personnel and surface forces ensured the complete dismantling of the terrorist infrastructure in the area.
“The NAF will continue to conduct independent and joint operations until all enemies of Nigeria’s peace and prosperity are brought to justice,” Akinboyewa added.
The airstrike marks another significant victory in the ongoing fight against terrorism in the Lake Chad Basin region, an area that has been a hotspot for insurgent activity for several years, the NAF said. The Nigerian military’s operations are part of the broader effort to neutralize extremist groups that pose a threat to regional stability, it added.
The NAF has promised to maintain its pressure on terrorist elements, with further airstrikes and ground operations expected in the coming weeks.