Nigerian Air Force kills scores of bandits in Zamfara
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said Thursday that it had intensified its strikes on bandits in Zamfara State where it killed scores of them and destroyed their hideouts and trucks.
NAF’s spokesman Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said the bombardment was conducted after intelligence indicated their presence in the area.
In a statement in Abuja, the state capital, Air Daramola said: “The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation Diran Mikiyahas intensified the bombardment of armed bandits’ hideouts in Zamfara State and its environs.
“The air strikes were preceded by days of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions initiated based on credible human intelligence reports, which led to the identification of several camps used by the bandits to launch attacks against innocent civilians.
“One of the air interdiction missions was conducted at dawn on February 7 at a location in Rugu Forest South of Gurbin Baure, where some armed bandits were seen assembled by a logistics truck parked near their compound-hideout.
“The ATF dispatched a NAF attack helicopter and an Alpha jet to engage the bandits’ truck and compound.
“Overhead the target area, the bandits were seen dispersing towards different directions with some attempting to make a getaway in the truck.
“The helicopter strafed the moving truck in successive passes immobilising it and neutralising its occupants.
“The Alpha jet simultaneously attacked the compound and destroyed one of the huts harbouring the bandits, which was seen engulfed in flames.
“Credible intelligence sources later revealed that several bandits were killed as a result of the attack.
“The NAF, working in close coordination with surface forces and other security agencies, will sustain its reconnaissance and air interdiction missions to neutralise the armed bandits and deny them freedom of action in the area.”
