Nigerian Air Force Strikes Boko Haram Artillery With Fighter Jets

Nigeria's Air Force, using one Alpha Jet and also F-7Ni fighter aircraft, has destroyed artillery of Boko Haram terrorist group in the country's Sambisa forest.

After a surveillance plane detected the positions of terrorist group in the forest, One Alpha Jet and one F-7Ni fighter aircraft hit them. Further, surveillance showed the air force having achieved the airstrikes, destroying the positions of the militants, Sputnik news reported Monday.

Boko Haram is a militant organization that is affiliated with the Daesh terrorist group, banned in many countries, including Russia and the United States.

The F-7Ni fighter aircraft were approved by Nigeria in 2005. In 2005 it was reported that Nigeria has approved $251 million USD to purchase 15 Chengdu F-7 fighters from China. The deal included 12 F-7NI (NI = Nigeria) single seat fighters, and 3 FT-7NI dual-seat trainers.

The $251 million package included $220 million for 15 aircraft, plus $32 million for armaments, including 20 live PL-9C AAM, 10 training PL-9 rounds, unguided rockets, and 250/500 kg bombs.

Nigerian pilots began their training in China in 2008, with delivery of the aircraft to begin in 2009.

The Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet is a light attack jet and advanced trainer aircraft co-manufactured by Dassault Aviation of France and Dornier Flugzeugwerke of Germany.

The Nigeria’s Alpha Jet force have been routinely employed in combat air patrols, and has conducted multiple air strikes against Boko Haram militants over a number of years.

In September 2014, multiple Alpha Jets conducted a large number of aerial bombardment missions over and around the area of Bama, Borno State, during the fight to regain the city following the withdrawal of friendly ground forces.

In early October 2014, Boko Haram released a video containing the decapitation of who they claimed was a captured Nigerian Air Force pilot of a downed Alpha Jet.

In March 2016, attacks performed by Nigerian Alpha Jets had reportedly dislodged Boko Haram fighters from Sambisa Forest, Borno State.