Two wanted Boko Haram Commanders identified as Abu Ubaida and Mallam Yusuf Abba have been reportedly killed by the military.
It was learnt that they were neutralised together with about 40 of their foot soldiers at an abandoned warehouse in Kurebe, a popular community in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
A report by the military on Monday stated that Abu Ubaida and Abba met their death when airstrikes conducted by a Nigerian Air Force, NAF, aircraft attached to Operation Whirl Punch, raided their enclave recently.
It partly read, “It would be recalled that on 22 December 2022, a NAF aircraft struck a terrorists’ gathering at Kurebe in Shiroro LGA.
“Several terrorists were killed, but it was unclear if any of the terrorists’ kingpins were eliminated in the air attacks.
“Consequently, after the said airstrike, preliminary investigations via exploitation of several sources revealed that there was an underground in the warehouse where the terrorists run to hide whenever a NAF aircraft flew over the area.
“It was also revealed that the terrorists hibernating within the location and bikes were seen on different occasions carrying fertilisers to the warehouse.
“These fertilisers are used by the terrorists to produce Improvised Explosive Device(s).
“Accordingly, NAF fighter jets were dispatched with the mission of ensuring total destruction of the warehouse and annihilation of the terrorists,”.
The NAF Spokesperson, Air Commodore Wap Maigida, confirmed the successful airstrikes.
He noted that their Air Component would continue to sustain the offensive operations against the Boko Haram elements.
He said that all NAF Operational Commanders, in keeping with the directive of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, were making sure that terrorists and collaborators were denied any breathing space.