A joint military operation showcased a decisive display of air-ground coordination when Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft swiftly intervened to rescue ground troops and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) members who came under heavy ambush by ISWAP terrorists in the Damboa–Biu axis of Borno State, PRNigeria reports.
The operation began when ground troops, led by a Brigadier General, moved into the area, unknowingly navigating a booby-trapped route. Following an initial exchange of gunfire, more terrorists emerged from different directions, compelling the Brigade Commander to order a tactical withdrawal.
Faced with superior enemy numbers, the Brigade Commander immediately sent a distress message requesting air support.
In a rapid response, aircraft that were engaged in different missions were diverted to the location to provide close air support.
The timely air operation delivered the essential relief needed, effectively dispersing the terrorists and saving the military commander, his troops, and the accompanying CJTF members.
A defence intelligence source told PRNigeria that the joint effort resulted in the killing of scores of terrorists.
The military recorded minimal casualties during the successful operation, underscoring the vital role of air support in high-intensity counter-terrorism engagements in the North-East theatre.
Meanwhile, the Airforce aircraft are manning the entire airspace to deny the terrorists any further ambush or attack in the axis.
Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.
Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.
He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.
Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).
He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.
He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.
Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.
