Atleast 78 bandits killed in Air strike

In its resolve to rid Zamfara state of bandits and their secret hideouts, camps and caves, the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji, has intensified aerial attack on forest reserves in the state, and in the process eliminated 78 bandits.

This was made known by a top security source. According to the source, the bombardment of the forest reserve started on Monday, August 3, 2021. 

The source said, “The Nigeria Air Force, determined to get rid of banditry, focused on locations with high concentration of bandits such as South of Dansadau town and North of Kwiambana Forest Reserves in Zamfara State.”

“Specifically, on 2 August 2021, Nigerian Air Force (NAF) surveillance platforms overhead these locations locked on armed bandits on bikes moving into Kwiambana Forest Reserves.”

“Diligent tracking of their movement led the platforms to an extensive and well concealed camps with numerous huts”.

The source added: “Accordingly , using a mix of NAF Alpha Jet, MI 171 and Agusta 109 strike helicopters, bombardment of the camps commenced on the evening of 2 August 2021 in liaison with ground troops forming blocking forces around the targeted areas of the forest”.

Through these coordinated attacks, over 78 bandits were neutralized, and their camps destroyed.

Informants and locals in the general vicinity also confirmed an exodus of surviving bandits from the forest. Further ISR by the air component confirmed a total abandonment of the camp by the surviving bandits.”

“In another development, the NAF 404 Force Protection Group stationed in Kaduna, on 4 August 2021, arrested a 48-year-old bandits’ logistics runner named, Aminu Saminu, around the Kaduna International Airport.”

“Useful information by the runner was availed to the Air Component that has engineered focus around the Kaduna International Airport environment and other areas with high bandits, “the source said.