In a significant development, the air component of Operation Whirl Punch has successfully carried out operations resulting in the elimination of a notorious kidnap kingpin known as Janari, along with several members of his syndicate. The operations, conducted in Kaduna state, targeted Janari and his foot soldiers, who were responsible for orchestrating numerous kidnappings within Kaduna state and along the Abuja-Kaduna highway.
The Nigerian Air Force officially confirmed this achievement in a statement released on Sunday by Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, the Director of Public Relations and Information. According to the statement, the decision to launch airstrikes was made after intelligence indicated that Janari and his gang were gathering for a potential attack on civilians in a location near Gadar Katako in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The statement emphasized that the airstrikes were deemed necessary to prevent a possible attack or kidnapping of vulnerable civilians, and the subsequent exploitation revealed the successful neutralization of Janari and several other terrorists/kidnappers in the syndicate. The air component of Operation Whirl Punch acted swiftly and decisively to eliminate the threat posed by Janari and his cohorts.
Additionally, similar operations targeting kidnappers were carried out in Niger state with positive outcomes. On January 20, 2024, confirmed terrorists and kidnappers’ hideouts near Chukuba in Niger State were subjected to airstrikes, resulting in various degrees of success. The feedback received after the strikes affirmed the neutralization of targets and the destruction of their mobility.
The prevalence of kidnapping incidents has become a pressing issue in Nigeria, with citizens frequently abducted for ransom payments. In response to the surge in such criminal activities, security agencies, including the Nigerian Air Force, are intensifying efforts to curb and neutralize these threats to the safety and security of the nation’s citizens. The recent success in eliminating Janari and his gang is a significant step in the ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping and ensure the safety of the populace.