The air component of Operation WHIRL PUNCH executed precision air strikes on Thursday, January 18, 2024, successfully neutralizing the notorious terrorist and kidnap kingpin, Janari, and several members of his syndicate.
Janari and his associates were infamous for orchestrating numerous attacks and abductions within Kaduna State and along the Abuja-Kaduna highway.
The decision to authorize the strikes stemmed from the identification of Janari and his gang near Gadar Katako in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Further intelligence revealed their gathering for a potential assault or kidnapping of vulnerable civilians, prompting the immediate need for intervention.
Post-strike intelligence confirmed the elimination of Janari and several other terrorists/kidnappers. Subsequently, on January 20, 2024, similar air strikes targeted confirmed terrorists and kidnappers’ hideouts near Chukuba in Niger State, yielding varying degrees of success.
Positive feedback post-strikes affirmed the effective neutralization of targets and the destruction of their mobility.
Collaborative efforts between the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and other security agencies persist in ongoing operations, extending across all locations suspected of harboring terrorists and kidnappers.
