The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) claims that its airstrikes at Dabar Masara, a notorious terrorist enclave in the Southern Tumbuns of Borno State, killed multiple terrorists and damaged their vehicles.  

The strikes were carried out on December 14 after "credible intelligence" from coordinated intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions revealed the existence of a terrorist workshop and the continuous movement of armed elements in the areas, according to a statement released yesterday by NAF spokesperson Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.  

Ejodame claims that earlier ISR operations had also revealed terrorist activity in the region, along with a notable concentration of cars hidden beneath vegetation, confirming the site's status as a terrorist supply base.

He said: “On the day of the operation, further surveillance validated the earlier findings, with terrorists observed manoeuvring within the location and around the identified vehicles.

“Following positive identification and in strict adherence to the Rules of Engagement, the targets were engaged. Post-operation Battle Damage Assessment confirmed that the identified vehicles were destroyed and terrorist elements were neutralised.

“The successful execution of this mission underscores the NAF’s continued commitment to intelligence-driven, precise air operations in support of national efforts to degrade terrorist networks and enhance security across affected regions.”

However, locals in the Mararaba neighborhood of Borno State's Kukawa Local Government Area have claimed that an unknown number of people were killed by airstrikes that targeted militants' locations there.  

According to the locals, the airstrikes killed commercial truckers and fisherman who had gathered at a terminus junction on the road going to Badeiri in Marte Local Government Area and Daban Masara in Kukawa Local Government Area between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m.  

When the strikes occurred, commercial drivers were reportedly collected in the vicinity to transport fishermen and fish goods to their destinations.

Source