Air Force bombards Boko Haram bunkers in Sambisa Forest

Barely 72.hours after President Muhammadu gave a three-month deadline, the Nigerian Air Force yesterday bombarded all Boko Haram bunkers located in the dreaded Sambisa Forest.
The bunkers might be between 30 and 40 being managed by the sect.
Also, troops yesterday foiled a suicide bombing attack on Rumirgo Market in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to a top military source, who spoke in confidence, the bombardment of the bunkers will be extended to all the camps and cells of the insurgents in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.
The source said: “The Nigerian Air Force has commenced aerial bombardments of hidden bunkers of Boko Haram in Sambisa Forest and other camps or cells in the North-East.
“The Air Force and ground troops have located many bunkers being managed by the sect. There is no retreat, no surrender again. We are taking the battle to the insurgents.”
Responding to a question, the source added: “We are talking of 30 to 40 bunkers in Sambisa Forest. Our mission is to smoke out the insurgents from the bunkers.”
An official statement by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) confirmed the aerial attacks on Sambisa Forest.
In a statement by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore, Dele Alonge, NAF said the aerial bombardments have degraded the capability of the insurgents.
The statement said: “The Nigerian Military in its resolution to incapacitate and further degrade the fighting spirit of Boko Haram Terrorist Group (BHT), has carried out several bombings and air strike missions in Sambisa Forest.
“The strike missions came after several weeks of tactical reconnaissance by the reconnaissance/ surveillance aircraft.
“The air strikes carried out by F-7NI and Alpha Jet fighter aircraft, as well as attack helicopters have resulted in the degradation of the terrorists capabilities and destruction of some of their strong holds.
“Intelligence report revealed that as aftermath of the strike missions, the terrorists have been confined and their capabilities greatly reduced, thereby restricting their nefarious activities to small-scale attacks and suicide bombings.
“The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar assures all Nigerians that the air efforts would be sustained until the Boko Haram Activities become a thing of the past.
“He further stated that, the Nigerian Air Force with their support is willing, able and ready to meet up with current and future security challenges of the nation.”
Meanwhile, troops yesterday foiled a suicide bombing attack on Rumirgo Market in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
A statement by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman, confirmed the foiling of the suicide mission by troops.
The statement said: “An attempt by a suicide bomber to attack and wreak havoc at Rumirgo Market in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State on Saturday morning was thwarted by a gallant vigilante group member.
“The suspected suicide bomber heading to Rumirgo market was accosted by the ever vigilant and security conscious vigilante.
“In the process of interrogation, the suspected terrorist blew himself off and died on the spot. The vigilante member sustained injuries and has been rushed to hospital for medical treatment by troops.
“The situation is under control as people go about their normal businesses. The Nigerian Troops have been placed on maximum alert to forestall further attack.
“We want to seize this opportunity to call on the public to continue to be more vigilant and security conscious.”