NAF Strikes Terrorists Attempting to Sabotage Shiroro-Kaduna Power Restoration Project
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has neutralized a group of terrorists planning to disrupt ongoing repairs on the Shiroro-Kaduna transmission line, a crucial infrastructure supporting electricity supply in the northern region. This successful mission, part of a coordinated response to secure power facilities, took place within Niger State’s Alawa Forest.
According to a statement from Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, Director of Public Relations and Information for the NAF, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions had recently confirmed the presence of terrorist fighters gathering near the repair site. The terrorists were believed to be preparing to sabotage restoration efforts on the power line that had suffered significant damage from previous insurgent attacks.
“In alignment with our mission to secure power infrastructure, NAF conducted a series of air interdiction operations on November 1, 2024. The operations targeted terrorist positions within Shiroro’s Alawa Forest, neutralizing several fighters and dismantling their logistics,” said Akinboyewa. “NAF’s air component acted swiftly on gathered intelligence, delivering precise firepower to eliminate the threat.”
This comes after the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) reported that vandalism of power facilities had previously led to prolonged outages in northern states. Recently, TCN confirmed the restoration of power on the Gombe-Damaturu-Maiduguri 330kV transmission line following repairs on a damaged tower.
To protect these restoration efforts, the Air Force has now reinforced its presence in the region, carrying out armed reconnaissance along the Shiroro-Damba power lines. “NAF continues to dominate the airspace, maintaining surveillance to deter any future threats and ensure uninterrupted repair activities,” Akinboyewa added. “Our collaboration with security agencies underscores our commitment to safeguarding vital infrastructure and restoring essential services in Kaduna and neighboring states.”
This operation highlights the NAF’s ongoing support for securing Nigeria’s power grid, a critical asset for regional stability and economic resilience.