The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) announced on Monday that its fighter jets conducted successful airstrikes, killing several terrorists attempting to disrupt repair work on the Shiroro-Kaduna transmission line. This transmission line, critical for supplying electricity to northern Nigeria, was recently destroyed by terrorists, plunging 17 states into darkness for the past three weeks.
In response to the power outage and infrastructure attack, President Bola Tinubu ordered troops to secure the repair teams and ensure their safety as they restore the transmission line. The Director of Public Relations and Information for the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, revealed that intelligence gathered through ongoing Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions confirmed that terrorist groups were regrouping with intentions to obstruct the repair work.
Akinboyewa explained, “In a coordinated mission to support power restoration efforts in Kaduna and other northwestern states, the NAF, on November 1, 2024, executed a series of air interdiction operations targeting terrorist positions within the Alawa Forest in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State. This mission aligns with our ongoing efforts to secure power infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted restoration progress.”
The ISR missions provided crucial intelligence, which allowed NAF to plan and execute precise airstrikes on the terrorist groups converging around the infrastructure site. Akinboyewa noted, “Overhead the target area, NAF crews observed and engaged the terrorists, neutralizing several fighters and their logistics with precise firepower.”
To ensure continued protection, the NAF has intensified armed reconnaissance missions along key sections of the power line, spanning from Shiroro Lake to Damba, to maintain airspace control and prevent further terrorist threats.
“This sustained mission underscores NAF’s commitment to collaborating with other security agencies in protecting vital infrastructure and ensuring the swift and full restoration of essential services for Kaduna and neighboring states,” Akinboyewa added, emphasizing the NAF’s dedication to safeguarding essential infrastructure against terrorist interference.
