In a statement made public on Sunday, January 21, Gabkwet said that the air component of Operation WHIRL PUNCH had recently assassinated Janari, a well-known terrorist and kidnap mastermind.
The statement claims that some of Janari’s syndicate members were also killed.
According to reports, Janari and his cronies committed multiple attacks and kidnappings in Kaduna State and along the Abuja-Kaduna route.
According to Gabkwet, Janari and his group were observed close to Gadar Katako in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, which prompted the most recent offensive air strike on the criminal elements.
He said that more research indicated the attackers were assembling in anticipation of an impending attack or kidnapping of innocent bystanders, hence an immediate attack on their location was required.
Following the operation, intelligence revealed that Janari and a number of other terrorists and kidnappers had been defeated.
With varied degrees of success, similar airstrikes were also carried out on January 20, 2024, hitting verified terrorist and kidnapping hideouts close to Chukuba in Niger State.
Positive response was apparently obtained following the recent strikes, as it confirmed that the targets had been neutralized and their mobility had been destroyed.
In the statement that was obtained, Gabkwet stated, “Collaborative efforts by the NAF and other security agencies will continue across all locations suspected of harbouring terrorists and kidnappers.”