Some leaders of bandits and their fighters fleeing Sokoto State with rustled livestock have been killed in airstrike conducted by Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji in Zamfara section of Kagara forest, The Nation learnt.
Coordinator Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, in statement, disclosed that the operation was sequel to intelligence reports that some armed bandits had relocated from Sokoto State part of the forest and set up a camp in Zamfara side of the forest.
According to the statement, “some notable armed bandit leaders and several of their fighters have been neutralized in air strikes executed by the Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI in the Zamfara State section of the Kagara Forest.
“This was achieved on 9 July 2020 pursuant to Human Intelligence (HUMINT) reports indicating that some armed bandits had relocated with a large number of rustled livestock from the Sokoto State side of the Forest and set up camp in the Zamfara State portion of the Forest. Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions also later confirmed the exact location of the camp.
“Accordingly, the Air Component dispatched Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets and helicopter gunships to engage the location. As the attack aircraft approached the camp, some of the bandits and their leaders were seen fleeing towards the surrounding bushes. Consequently, the attack aircraft struck the area of vegetation taking out several of the bandits. HUMINT sources later confirmed that 8 bandit leaders and no fewer than a dozen of their fighters were killed as a result of the strikes
“The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has commended the Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI for their professionalism and urged them to remain resolute in the conduct of air strikes whilst continuing to provide close air support for ongoing ground operations in order to eradicate all armed bandits; thus accomplishing the directives of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to restore normalcy in the North-West and North-Central Zones of the country”.
Meanwhile in a related development, troops of Operation Thunder Strike have reportedly rescued three kidnap victims abducted by bandits in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
A separate statement by Enenche read, “sequel to credible intelligence on the kidnap of some people by armed bandits from their farm in Gwazunu village, Chikun LGA of Kaduna State, troops of Operation THUNDER STRIKE under the subsidiary Operation ACCORD promptly deployed to the scene and engaged the bandits with effective firepower.
“The bandits escaped in disarray with gun shot wounds thereby abandoning the kidnapped victims. All the 3 victims were successfully rescued unhurt and have been reunited with their families.
“The Military High Command congratulates the gallant troops for their dedication and unwavering commitment and urges them to remain committed and sustain the onslaught against the criminals”.

By Okodili Ndidi