Terrorists' IED Factory in Borno Destroyed Based on Precise Intelligence - NAF

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) recently executed a successful air strike that destroyed a terrorists' Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) factory located at Grazah, deep within the Mandara Hills in Borno.

This operation was part of the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai and was confirmed by Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, in a statement released on August 8, 2024.

The intelligence leading to this decisive action revealed the sighting of a possible IED factory and storage area for other logistics. The factory had been under surveillance for weeks, with various installations and activities of armed terrorists observed, consistent with those protecting a strategic location.

Gabkwet noted, "The IED factory location at Grazah had been under surveillance for weeks with various installations observed and activities of armed terrorists in the area found to be consistent with those protecting a strategic location."

For some time, the IED factory was suspected to have been relocated multiple times—from Gwoza to the Timbuktu Triangle in Sambisa Forest, and finally to Grazah. This frequent relocation was attributed to the "enormous firepower on the terrorists’ enclaves by the combined efforts of the entire security apparatus of the theatre of operation."

During the surveillance, two gun trucks were also sighted tucked under a large tree near the suspected IED factory.

These findings necessitated the need for an air strike to neutralize the threat. Gabkwet stated, "Additionally, two gun trucks were sighted tucked under a large tree near the suspected IED factory.

These findings thus necessitated the need for an air strike on the location in order to destroy the suspected IED factory and neutralise the terrorists."

The air strikes effectively destroyed the targets, with a thick cloud of smoke confirming the destruction of the IED factory and the gun trucks.

This operation was a response to recent attacks on innocent civilians in Borno using IEDs and suicide bombers. Gabkwet emphasized, "The air interdiction was a sequel to the recent attacks on innocent civilians in the state using IEDs and suicide bombers."