By KEMI KASUMU
In the wake of aggressive bombardments by military air troops, several armed bandits in Zamfara State have been killed in the last one week.
A logistics base facility set up by armed criminals hiding at Kawara Forest in Igabi Local Area of Kaduna State was also destroyed by airstrikes of Nigerian military fighter aircraft.
Sources also confirmed that no fewer than 50 bandits were killed by bombs shelled at the bandits’ logistics facility at the weekend.
According to one of the sources, a military air officer, a reconnaissance mission by Nigerian Air Force helicopter gunships had intercepted a large gathering of bandits dressed in black clothes with rustled cattle around Kawara Village in Giwa Local Government Area.
“On sighting the aircraft, the bandits ran and hide in between the cattle, while navigating their movement.
“After clustering at a water crossing point, the bandits were struck in successive passes by the aircraft.
“Some casualties that were spotted to be struggling to scamper for safety were also successfully neutralized by the aircraft.
“A reverse trail back to their initial departure point revealed a possible logistics base which was also struck until it went into flames.
“Sources on the ground at Kawara on Monday confirmed that at least 50 dead bodies of the bandits were counted while their motorcycles and food items were destroyed at the camps during the attack,” he said.
In an itemized update by Dr. Uche Diala, a regular contributor to national discourse and member, Buhari Supporters Club, he said key bandit kingpins were either killed or arrested during the military operations.
Scores of kingpins killed in Zamfara
Taking his reference from Defence News Nigeria, Diala said:
“Sustained airstrikes by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in the ongoing onslaught against Banditary in Zamfara State has led to the elimination of some key bandit ring leaders in the state.
“The neutralised bandits leaders include the notorious bandit ‘Dankarami’ whose camp in Shinkafi Local Government Area of the State was destroyed. ‘Dankarami’ was the bandits leader who some months ago released a video celebrating victory over the Nigerian Army and threatening Nigeria.
“The bandits kingpins, who have continually terrorised innocent citizens in Zamfara State, are among the over 80 bandits killed so far by NAF’s sustained air raids under ‘Operation HADARIN DAJI,” he said.
According to Defence News Nigeria, the killing of the bandit leader Dankarami in the airstrikes represents a milestone in Nigeria’s employment of air power that is quickly becoming the decisive force in the war against insurgency.
“Another Bandit Leader, ‘Karfe’ has also been arrested in the State.
“Also arrested by Nigerian troops in Zamfara is 26-year-old notorious bandit leader, Kachalla Turji Gudde, who has led assaults on several communities in Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina and part of Niger Republic,” he said.
He continued, “Kachalla Turji also known as Gudde Turji operates along Sokoto Road, raiding towns, villages, and settlements in the area. Bello Turji is known to be merciless. He commands one of the biggest gangs among the bandits despite his young age.
“On July 17, 2021 Kachalla Turji’s main base was ransacked by security personnel where they arrested his father. Kachalla Turji then attacked the villages of Kurya, Keta, Kware, Badarawa, Marisuwa, and Maberaya killing 42, Abducting 150, and burning 338 houses.
“It should be remembered that mobile and internet services had been shut down in Zamfara and environs as the Nigerian military moved against armed bandits carrying out killings and kidnappings for ransom.
“The shutdown of telecommunication sites has proved to be effective against these bandits. It made bandits and their informants handicapped and become vulnerable to the air power and ground troops of the Nigerian military.
“Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army is on the ground neutralizing those who managed to escape through footpaths.
“The state government has ordered the immediate closure of all illegal motor parks and roadside markets across the State especially those at kauran Namoda-Jibia road, Lambar Bakura junction, Kwanar Mayanchi-Anka junction, Garejin Mai Lena as well as Filin Jirgi rice and vegetables market in Gusau Metropolitan to prevent escape of any fleeing bandit.”
In hashtags specifically chosen in solidarity with the Armed Forces, Dr. Uche Diala said: #ThePamperingContinues #TheLanguageTheyUnderstand adding, #GodBlessOurTroops, #GodBlessNigeria
