Pix: Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa

The Nigerian Air Force carried out a night air raid in Degbewa and Chikide, Gwoza local government area of Borno state, killing scores of Boko Haram terrorists and destroying key structures, officials told Anadolu on Wednesday.

The airstrikes carried out late Tuesday targeted high-profile terrorist leaders and led to the death of no fewer than 30 terrorists.

Confirming the incident, Air Force spokesperson Olusola Akinboyewa said the operation aimed at restoring normalcy and facilitating socio-economic activities in the northeastern Nigeria.

“Battle damage assessment process is still ongoing. More details will be made available in due course,” he said.

The airstrikes came five days after terrorists affiliated with Islamic State – West Africa Province (ISWAP) group killed at least 22 soldiers in Borno. The military said 70 terrorists were also killed in the operation.

As many as 35 Nigerian soldiers have been killed in the line of duty since Jan. 1, underscoring the significant challenges the military faces in combating an insurgency.

Meanwhile, over 100 terrorists have been neutralized by the military across different regions of Nigeria since the beginning of the year.