Emmanuel Daudu
The Armed Forces of Nigeria have taken a decisive step in the fight against terrorism with the successful destruction of Lakurawa Terrorist Group (LTG) hideouts in Gidan Bisa and Gidan Runtuwa, within the Jirikon Forest of Silame Local Government Area, Sokoto State.
The operation, conducted on 25 December 2024, demonstrates the military’s commitment to neutralizing threats and protecting citizens.
According to Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, the operation was the result of meticulous planning and intelligence gathering.
“We conducted sustained Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions over several weeks to confirm the presence of the terrorists. Human Intelligence reports further validated the findings, ensuring we had accurate and actionable intelligence,” he stated.
Major General Buba explained that the operation commenced with precision airstrikes carried out by the Air Component.
“At around 0600 hours on Christmas Day,our aircraft delivered precise strikes using guided munitions to target the hideouts. This approach was chosen to minimize collateral damage while maximizing the impact on terrorist infrastructure,” he said.
He further highlighted the role of ground forces in ensuring the operation’s success. “The Land Component strategically positioned troops around the area to block any escape routes for the terrorists. Following the airstrikes, our ground forces moved in to assess the damage and confirm the success of the operation,” he revealed.
The operation led to the destruction of key terrorist facilities, including arms caches and logistics depots, with secondary explosions confirming the strike’s effectiveness.
General Buba added that local residents corroborated the intelligence, confirming that the Lakurawa terrorists had been using the area as a base for their operations.
While the operation achieved its primary objective of neutralizing the terrorist hideouts, secondary explosions resulted in 10 fatalities. “We are conducting investigations to determine whether the deceased were terrorist collaborators or civilians,” General Buba clarified.
Reaffirming the Armed Forces’ commitment to civilian safety, General Buba stated, “Every civilian casualty is a tragedy. We take painstaking measures to avoid such occurrences, and we will continue to do so as we intensify our efforts against terrorist elements.”
The Nigerian Armed Forces have reiterated their resolve to dismantle terrorist networks and restore peace across the country.
Citizens are encouraged to remain vigilant and provide timely intelligence to support ongoing operations.
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