The NAF aircraft under Operation Hadarin Daji carried out the strikes on the enclave of Mallam Ila on the evening of November 18, 2022.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has bombed the enclave of Mallam Ila, a notorious gun supplier to the dreaded terrorist leader, Bello Turji Kachalla, popularly known as Turji, who has been terrorising the North West states of Nigeria, especially Zamfara.
The NAF on Friday evening in sustained offensive operations against terrorists struck the hideout of Turji’s gunrunner at Manawa village in the Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, killing an undisclosed number of terrorists.
A defence operative who disclosed the information to PRNigeria said the gunrunner, Ila, was the major supplier of sophisticated weapons to Turji in Zamfara.
The source said, "The NAF aircraft under Operation Hadarin Daji carried out the strikes on the enclave of Mallam Ila on the evening of November 18, 2022.
"Mallam Ila remains a high-value target due to his closeness and association with terrorist leaders Bello Turji and Dan Bokoyo. Their foot soldiers have also been responsible for attacks in Shinkafi general area of Zamfara State as well as parts of Kaduna, Niger, Kebbi, and Sokoto states.
"After the airstrike on the location, multiple explosions were observed with huge fireballs, indicative of other highly inflammable materials hidden in the location. Scores of terrorists were eliminated during the operation."
Meanwhile, another source within the force said that Ila narrowly escaped with critical injuries.
The NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, who confirmed the operations, said military operations have continued to curtail the excesses of bandits and terrorists in the states.
Gabkwet said, "The NAF and other security agencies remain on track to seeing the ongoing counterterrorism effort to a conclusive end.
"We call on Nigerians to continue supporting the security agencies with information on activities of criminal elements as solving the current security impasse requires the involvement of all."