The Nigerian military announced on Friday that it has successfully destroyed the logistics base of the Lakurawa terrorist group, which has been disrupting peace in Sokoto communities, following airstrikes carried out on Christmas Day. The military clarified that the deaths of 10 villagers in Sokoto State resulted from a secondary explosion caused by the airstrikes targeting the terrorists’ base.
Director of Defence Media Operations Edward Buba addressed journalists, confirming that the airstrikes were precision-guided operations aimed at the terrorist hideout. He explained that the logistics base contained hazardous materials, including hand cartridges and explosives, which detonated upon being struck.
Buba emphasized that the fatalities were due to the secondary explosion rather than direct hits from the airstrikes. He noted that extensive intelligence and reconnaissance efforts were conducted prior to the operation, which had been rescheduled to minimize civilian casualties.
Additionally, ground forces reported the destruction of key terrorist infrastructure and the neutralization of several combatants during the airstrikes. Survivors from the group reportedly fled the scene, utilizing their familiarity with the terrain.
In a related operation, troops from the 1 Brigade in Sector 2 of Joint Task Force North West neutralized several terrorists, including a notorious figure known as Alhaji Ma’oli, in Mai Sheka village, bringing relief to the local communities affected by his activities. Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi stated that the operation was initiated based on intelligence reports of terrorist movements in the area, successfully thwarting their plans to attack locals and reinforcing security in the region.
