A statement issued on Monday by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, said the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions carried out by the service confirmed the presence of terrorist fighters converging to disrupt the repair of the transmission line.
A group of terrorists planning to disrupt the repair being carried out on the Shiroro-Kaduna transmission line in Niger State have been killed by the Nigerian Air Force fighter jets.
Recall that the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) in October blamed the lack of electricity in some part of the Northern region of the country on destruction of power generating facilities by the terrorists.
The situation was later resolved as the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) confirmed the restoration of power on the Gombe-Damaturu-Maiduguri 330kV transmission line after extensive repairs on a vandalised tower last week.
According to Ndidi Mbah, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, said the supply was resumed between Wednesday and Thursday.
A statement issued on Monday by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, said the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions carried out by the service confirmed the presence of terrorist fighters converging to disrupt the repair of the transmission line.
He added that the terrorists were engaged and several of them were killed.
Akinboyewa said, “In a coordinated mission to support power restoration efforts in Kaduna and other northwestern states, the NAF, on November 1, 2024, executed a series of air interdiction operations targeting terrorist positions located deep within the Alawa Forest in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State. This mission aligns with ongoing efforts to secure power infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted progress in restoring electricity to affected areas.
“The strike followed a series of ISR missions which confirmed the presence of terrorist fighters who were converging to disrupt ongoing power restoration. The air component, acting swiftly on this intelligence, planned and carried out a successful airstrike to neutralize the threat. Overhead the target area, NAF crews observed and engaged the terrorists, neutralizing several fighters and their logistics with precise firepower.”
Akinboyewa said the Air Force has dominated the air space in the area to prevent the terrorists from interfering in the efforts to restore power to the affected states."
He said, “Alongside these interdictions, the NAF has intensified armed reconnaissance along critical power lines from Shiroro Lake to Damba, maintaining airspace dominance to prevent any potential terrorist interference in the restoration efforts.
“This sustained mission underscores NAF’s commitment to collaborate with other security agencies in protecting vital infrastructure and ensuring the swift and full restoration of essential services for Kaduna and neighbouring states.”