The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says the air component of operation Hadarin Daji has killed 80 terrorists in Gidan Kare village under Faskare LGA of Katsina state.

In a statement on Monday, Edward Gabkwet, the NAF director of public relations, said the airstrike was carried out on June 15, adding that 15 motorcycles belonging to the terrorists were burned.

Gabkwet said the air raid followed intelligence that over 100 terrorists were burning houses at a settlement about five kilometres away from Gidan Kare Village.

He said at about 8:30pm on Saturday, several houses were observed to be on fire, with the entire village in pandemonium.

Gabkwet said 12 motorcycles were later seen departing the village, adding that they were trailed along a footpath to a location near Gidan Kare Village and Kuka Shidda camp, where they joined up with a large number of their cohorts.

“Other terrorists were also observed arriving at the location from different directions, an indication that the location was a massing up point with the terrorists likely planning to further attack nearby villages,” the statement reads.

“Having been presented such a rare opportunity, authorization was sought, obtained and the location was immediately struck at exactly 9:40pm, with over 80 terrorists confirmed eliminated and about 45 motorcycles burnt down, while few surviving terrorists were observed fleeing or limping off.

“Further intelligence received after the strike also revealed that the terrorists were closely linked with notorious terrorist kingpin Yusuf Yellow and his close associate Rabe Imani.

”These strikes, along with others before now, have no doubt disrupted terrorists’ activities in the area.”

The NAF spokesperson said Hasan Abubakar, chief of air staff, commended the efforts of the air component in diminishing the capabilities of terrorist elements in the north-west.

He urged the troops not to relent in their efforts and dedication to the fight against terrorism and all forms of criminality in Nigeria.

“As we continue the fight against insurgency and banditry bedevilling our dear nation, I want to commend and appreciate your resoluteness and gallantry,” Gabkwer quoted the air chief as saying.