From Olukayode Idowu, Defence Correspondent
SUNRISE NEWS, Borno, Aug 26, 2020 The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has taken another major scalp off the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) elements operating in the Island settlements of the Lake Chad in the Northern part of Borno State.
A statement from the Coordinator Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche said the massive simultaneous air strikes occurred on Monday, under the subsidiary Operation Hail Storm at Kirta Wulgo and Sabon Tumbun, two settlements on the fringes of the Lake Chad, killing several key ISWAP leaders and scores of their fighters were killed.
The missions were conducted on the heels of credible human intelligence (HUMINT) reports indicating that some ISWAP leaders and fighters had relocated to Sabon Tumbun due to the impact of the recent air strikes at the nearby Island settlement of Tumbuma Baba.
Similarly, up to 15 high ranking ISWAP Commanders along with scores of their fighters were harboured at Kirta Wulgo, which serves as Administrative Headquarters and training camp for ISWAP.
Accordingly, the Air Task Force dispatched an enhanced force package of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets and helicopter gunships to attack the two locations scoring devastating hits leading to the elimination of several of the terrorists. Prominent terrorists’ leaders, including Abu Imraana, ISWAP Naval Commander, as well as Mallam Ibrahim and Mallam Abba, are believed to be among the many ISWAP casualties.