Military Kills Terror Lord ‘Shanono’ in Kaduna, other Terrorists During Boko Haram-ISWAP Infighting in Borno

Military Kills Terror Lord ‘Shanono’, Scores of other Terrorists During Fight Between Shekau’s Boko Haram, ISWAP

Aggressive bombardments carried out by two Nigerian Air Force, NAF, fighter jets have killed scores of feuding terrorists in the North East.

This is just as a well-known terrorist leader, operating in Kaduna State, Alhaji Shanono, was also killed during an air raid by military gunships.

Terrorists in Borno, according to military source, were eliminated during a ‘bloody’ infighting for relevance and supremacy between terrorists of the slain Abubakar Shekau’s faction and their Islamic State of West African Province, ISWAP, rivals.

Though PRNigeria could not confirm the casualties suffered by the insurgents, it learnt that the NAF airstrikes were conducted at Gazuwa, about 1.2 kilometers to Gargash.

The military source, who pleaded for anonymity, explained that the state of confusion and disorder among the two terrorists’ factions presented an opportunity for a surprise strike by their military attack jets.

He said: “It should be noted that though the map coordinates led the pilots to the exact site of the infighting, the location also had an ISWAP flag hoisted on the structure and 3 solar panels on the rooftop.

“Intelligence received and corroborated by local sources revealed the strike was a success as the terrorists did not anticipate it with several eliminated and others injured”.

Meanwhile, PRNigeria gathered that following receipt of intelligence on 9 August 2022, that Shanono, had scheduled a meeting with his foot soldiers at Ukambo, a village about 131 km from Kaduna, the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch dispatched aircraft for interdiction mission at the location.

“Overhead the location, terrorists were sighted under clusters of trees at the foot of Ukambo high ground and after ensuring the absence of civilian settlements within the location, the crew received the authorization to strike.

“Feedback from local sources disclosed that over 30 rifles and 20 motorbikes were destroyed while about 18 terrorists, including Alhaji Shanono, were neutralized while others sustained various degrees of injuries.

“Sources also revealed that not less than 26 kidnapped victims earlier held by the terrorists were released as a result of the airstrike,” a NAF source told PRNigeria.

By PRNigeria

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PRESS RELEASE

CAS REVIEWS ONGOING AIR OPERATIONS IN KADUNA AS TERRORISTS’ KINGPIN ALHAJI SHANONO, OTHERS ARE NEUTRALIZED IN AIRSTRIKES

The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, was back to Kaduna earlier today 10 August 2022 to review ongoing operations and give further directives. This is even as intensive air operations endured in the entire military theatres of operation as NAF aircraft continue to seek and decimate enemies of the state in their attempts to make life unbearable for innocent Nigerians. From the briefings received by the CAS, it is evident that so far, the directives given to the operational commanders is yielding the requisite outcome. Air Marshal Amao, in addressing the commanders, reminded them of the need to remain steadfast and focused on the task ahead. ‘We can’t afford to let down our guards’, he said.

In the Northwest specifically, the effect of strikes undertaken by NAF aircraft have revealed that several terrorists’ have been eliminated and their enclaves destroyed. One of such strikes which occurred yesterday, 9 August 2022 resulted in the elimination of a well known terrorist leader operating in Kaduna State. Indeed, following receipt of intelligence on 9 August 2022 that a well known terrorists’ kingpin, Alhaji Shanono, had scheduled a meeting with his foot soldiers at Ukambo, a village about 131 km from Kaduna, the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch dispatched aircraft for interdiction mission at the location. Overhead the location, terrorists were sighted under clusters of trees at the foot of Ukambo high ground and after ensuring the absence of civilian settlements within the location, the crew received the authorization to strike. Feedback from local sources disclosed that over 30 rifles and 20 motorbikes were destroyed while about 18 terrorists, including Alhaji Shanono, were neutralized while others sustained various degree of injuries. Sources also revealed that not less than 26 kidnapped victims earlier held by the terrorists were released as a result of the airstrike.

Similar strikes were also undertaken in the Northeast as well. There, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai had their tasks well cut out for them as they have been fully engaged in conducting air interdiction missions on terrorists’ targets in Borno State. One of such operations was conducted on 6 August 2022 at Gazuwa, about 1.2 kilometers to Gargash, after intelligences revealed that infighting for relevance and supremacy was underway between terrorists of the Shekau faction and terrorists aligned to Islamic State of West Africa (ISWAP). The state of confusion and disorder among the 2 terrorists’ factions thus presented an opportunity for a surprise strike by NAF pilots which was carried out using 2 aircraft types. It should be noted that though the map coordinates led the pilots to the exact site of the infighting, the location also had an ISWAP flag hoisted on the structure and 3 solar panels on the rooftop.
Intelligence received and corroborated by local sources revealed the strike was a success as the terrorists did not anticipate it with several eliminated and others injured.

The impact of the strikes is said to have reverberated through the remaining terrorists’ camps who are beginning to realize that they are fighting an unjust and lost cause that will no doubt lead to their death. Most are said to be contemplating surrendering just like others before them.

Edward Gabkwet
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force

10 August 2022