The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed the successful elimination of at least 28 terrorists during a series of precision airstrikes conducted in Bassa, located in the Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, on Wednesday. These strikes were part of the ongoing Operation Whirl Punch, aimed at neutralizing threats from insurgents and restoring peace in the region.
In an official statement released by the Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information for NAF, the air operations were launched on September 11 in response to a request for air support from ground forces in the area. The request followed an early morning invasion by suspected Boko Haram terrorists who had attacked the community. NAF’s aerial reconnaissance detected more than 100 heavily armed militants engaged in a violent confrontation with the Nigerian security forces on the ground.
After confirming the position of friendly troops, NAF deployed a series of precision airstrikes on the terrorists’ positions. The aerial bombardment was executed in successive waves, causing significant damage and neutralizing dozens of militants. As of the latest reports, 28 bodies of terrorists have been recovered from the site, and ongoing operations are clearing additional fighters, as well as their weapons and motorcycles, which were destroyed during the assault.
This air operation has been hailed as a critical success, underscoring the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to supporting the broader military effort in curbing terrorism, banditry, and insurgency across Nigeria. Captain Kabiru Ali, who released the statement, reiterated that the NAF will continue to work in collaboration with other security agencies to ensure the peace, security, and stability of the nation.
Earlier reports from local sources indicated that Bassa was attacked in the early hours of Wednesday, with residents hearing sporadic gunfire as early as 5:30 a.m. The community, which had previously been under attack by terrorists, was only recently repopulated after security forces were redeployed to the area following an earlier assault that resulted in the deaths of soldiers and the withdrawal of military personnel.
The attackers, believed to be Boko Haram militants, launched the latest offensive around 3 a.m. but were met with stiff resistance from joint security forces, which included local vigilantes and hunters working alongside the military. During the first phase of the confrontation, security forces successfully repelled the attackers, killing 21 militants and capturing four others. Sadly, two local residents lost their lives during the exchange of gunfire.
According to local sources, the security operatives were able to hold their ground and prevent further casualties. However, as the militants attempted to regroup and launch a second wave of attacks, the NAF’s aerial intervention played a decisive role in ending the siege. Among those killed in the clashes were two identified individuals, a man and a woman, who were victims of the second assault by the terrorists.
Bassa, located near the Allawa forest reserve, has been the target of multiple attacks by insurgents who use the dense forest to launch operations. These militants often cross into the town from neighboring Zamfara and Kaduna states, where they carry out raids, kidnappings, and killings, leaving the local population in a state of fear. The latest attack is just one in a series of attempts by insurgent groups to destabilize the region, but with the continued presence of security forces and increased air support, the situation appears to be improving.
Local leaders have praised the swift response of the security forces, including the Nigerian Air Force, for their role in defending the community and limiting the loss of life. The operation serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by rural communities in Niger State and the ongoing efforts to restore peace and stability to areas affected by insurgency.
The NAF has assured the public that it will continue to conduct air operations, both independently and in collaboration with ground forces, to eliminate any threats posed by insurgents and criminals in the country. This commitment is part of a broader strategy to bring lasting security to Nigeria’s troubled regions.