By Linus Aleke, Abuja
The Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai on 5 November 2022 killed the Islamic State West African (ISWAP), kingpin and chief strategist at Belowa, during an air interdiction missions.

ThisNigeria gathered that the killing followed the continuation of series of air strikes aimed at fracturing the will of remnants of terrorists and insurgents to fight as well as denying them their freedom of movement.

Belowa, a highly placed source in the military said, is among the very few remaining ISWAP/Boko Haram enclaves in the Tumbuns, Lake Chad Region in Abadam Local Government.

The source said, the strikes became necessary after intelligence revealed convergence of some ISWAP leaders and fighters from surrounding areas for a meeting with motive of planning attacks on friendly forces.

He disclosed that a mix of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft were dispatched to the location of the meeting at Belowa which was confirmed to be active.
“The location was subsequently engaged with rockets and bombs in multiple passes.

An hour after the strikes, two vehicles conveying about 13 injured surviving terrorists to another hideout were struck through precision strikes by NAF aircraft.

Feedback after the strikes revealed that ISWAP kingpin, Mallam Ali Kwaya who is a key member of the ISWAP Shura Council and Mallam Bukar Mainoka were among those neutralized in the strikes,” he explained.

He further disclosed that similar strikes were conducted on 4 November 2022 at Ngwuri Gana in Bama LGA, a location East of Maiduguri.
The strikes became expedient sequel to intelligence that a group of ISWAP insurgents in 15 trucks were spotted converging at the location.
The source added that the insurgents, who were armed with assorted weapons, were believed to have arrived from Mina, Abuja Kote and Tanga Lan Nga Villages all in Bama LGA.

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According to the source, “usually, such regrouping means that an attack on troops locations in Bama LGA was in the offing. The need to strike the location was thus authorized. Feedback revealed the strike was on point as several terrorists were neutralized and all their structures and vehicles engulfed in fire”.

He noted that recent behaviors of remnants of terrorists and insurgents’ elements particularly in the Northeast is indication of a state of desperation, confusion, apprehension and anxiety.
He said, their ability to loiter freely and attack vulnerable villages and troops’ location at will has drastically reduced just as their sources of weapon supplies have been blocked.

ThisNigeria also gathered that the infighting among the terrorist groups is also viewed as a clear sign of an end in sight of these groups acting and working together to attack troop’s location.

But when contacted, tbe NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, confirmed the strikes.

He said, “Our path to victory in the Northeast and Northwest remains on course and we won’t relent until all locations are free of terrorists and insurgents. Let’s also not forget that the resilience of our pilots and technicians is in line with the directive of the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Amao that terrorists and insurgents must be denied their hiding places”.