The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has explained the roles it played when Boko Haram insurgents attacked the Headquarters 7 Brigade Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in Baga, Borno State.
NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, gave the brief in a statement on Friday.
According to him, the top military base was attacked by members of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) on Wednesday evening.
“Upon receipt of the information of the attack, the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE immediately dispatched a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform along with two Mi-35M Helicopter Gunships to provide support for the troops to repel the attack,” he said.
“The NAF ISR aircraft, which was overhead the troops’ location as at 7.15pm, also worked closely with a Nigerien Air Force and another allied ISR aircraft that were also in the operation area at the time of the attack.”
READ ALSO: Army Insists Baga Under Control Amid Reports Of Boko Haram Take Over
Channels Television had reported that troops of 7 Brigade were engaging Boko Haram fighters who attempted to infiltrate their location in Baga on December 26.
In an updated report, the Nigerian Army said the troops along with their Nigerian Navy counterparts put up a very determined fight to repel the attack all through the night.
It had also revealed that a Naval officer was killed during the encounter and condemned the reports that the terrorists have taken over Baga.
NAF on its part said its intervention led to the death of some insurgents engaged at isolated spots in the area.
“The ISR platforms were in contact with the ground troops and assisted in directing their fire against the terrorists, while the helicopter gunships engaged the terrorists at isolated locations destroying some of their vehicles and neutralising some fighters,” Daramola said.
He disclosed further that the ISWAP fighters carried out a similar attack on the Naval Base at Doron Baga the following morning, where the ATF provided support for the Army and Navy troops.
The Air Force spokesman said the ATF deployed two ISR platforms, two Helicopter Gunships, and two Alpha Jet aircraft to provide ISR and close air support to the troops.
He explained that the location of the terrorists was ascertained and engaged by the Alpha Jet aircraft after communication with the ground troops was established.
“The NAF and allied ISR platforms also spotted two ISWAP vehicles heading southwards from Baga and vectored the Alpha Jet aircraft to attack the vehicles, completely destroying one of them and neutralising the occupants,” the Air Commodore revealed.
He added, “In order to enhance the quality of coordination between the air and ground operations, the Theatre Commander and Maritime Component Commander were carried onboard the ISR platform during one of the flights.
“In all, the ATF conducted 20 missions in 21 sorties with a total of about 39 hours flown on 26 and 27 December in support of operations in Baga general area.”
A short video clip showing highlights of the support provided on 26 and 27 December, along with a Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) video showing parts of the successful attack on the terrorists’ vehicles was attached to the statement.
NAF said it appreciates the synergy with surface forces and regional allies in the fight against insurgency in the North East.
