15 Boko Haram killed in Nigerian airstrike

By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS, Nigeria

At least 15 Boko Haram militants have been killed in an airstrike in northeastern Borno state, the Nigerian Air Force said Monday.

“A Nigerian Air Force NAF King Air A350i Beechcraft aircraft… sighted a group of BHTs [Boko Haram terrorists] in seven Hilux vehicles hiding under trees at a location along the axis of advance of own ground forces towards Kangarawa, north of Borno state,” spokesman Gp. Cpt. Ayodele Famuyiwa said in a statement about Sunday's attack.

“Following this discovery, an Alpha jet was scrambled to attack the Boko Haram location. The attack was successful as 15… terrorists were killed.”

Famuyiwa said ground forces confirmed the deaths and pursued wounded terrorists.

The military previously announced it was shifting attention to northern Borno state, where militants are believed to have established a presence close to the border with Niger.

An attempt to liberate the area in April saw dozens of Nigerian troops killed in an ambush by Boko Haram in Kareto.

The group has been waging a war against Nigeria and neighboring states that has seen at least 20,000 people killed and 2.7 million displaced in seven years.