On Monday, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) reported that its fighter jets carried out airstrikes that killed several terrorists who were planning to disrupt ongoing repairs to the Shiroro-Kaduna transmission line.
According to PUNCH Online, the transmission line had been destroyed by terrorists, severely impacting electricity supply to the northern region. The attack on this critical infrastructure has left 17 northern states without power for the past three weeks.
“The airstrike followed a series of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, which confirmed the presence of terrorist fighters gathering to disrupt the ongoing power restoration efforts,” said Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information. “Acting swiftly on this intelligence, the air component carried out a successful airstrike, neutralizing several terrorists and their logistics with precise firepower.”
Akinboyewa further stated that the Air Force has established airspace dominance in the area to prevent any further interference with efforts to restore power to the affected states. “In addition to these interdictions, the NAF has intensified armed reconnaissance along critical power lines from Shiroro Lake to Damba, ensuring airspace control to prevent terrorist activities that could hinder restoration efforts.”
He emphasized that the NAF is committed to collaborating with other security agencies to protect vital infrastructure and ensure the rapid restoration of essential services to Kaduna and neighboring states.
In response to the ongoing threat, President Bola Tinubu directed military troops to provide security cover for electricity workers, allowing them to carry out the necessary repairs on the damaged infrastructure.
Akinboyewa also provided further details of the NAF’s efforts, stating that on November 1, 2024, the Air Force executed a series of air interdiction operations targeting terrorist positions deep within the Alawa Forest in Shiroro Local Government Area, Niger State. He confirmed that several terrorists were killed during the coordinated mission, which aligns with the broader goal of securing power infrastructure and ensuring uninterrupted progress in restoring electricity to the affected areas.
