The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari, has ordered the Nigerian Air Force to begin the bombardment of bandits’ locations in Niger State.
Buhari gave the order in apparent reaction to the invasion of communities in Niger East senatorial district by bandits which led to the killing and maiming of many residents on Friday and Saturday.
In a Sunday statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the president described the attacks as a “disaster to the nation”.
He, therefore, authorised the deployment of air power to support troops and policemen deployed to the “difficult terrain,” to counter the menace of the attackers operating in the forest area bordering Kaduna, Niger and Zamfara states.
In line with this directive, according to the presidential aide, the Nigerian Air Force is setting up refueling facilities at Minna, Niger state, to support the air operations.
Shehu revealed that relevant military authorities had assured the president that given the improved weather conditions, a major exercise to “visually acquire targets” and launch attacks would soon follow.
He said: “President Buhari has received assurances that with the harmattan dust gradually easing its hold on the skies, fighter aircraft would this week join the efforts to provide effective air attacks against bandits, kidnappers and cattle rustlers that have been attacking remote communities around Dogon Gona forest in Niger State.”
He added that the Police Command in Niger had equally given assurances that “the planned dedicated air raids to complement the police helicopter gunship operations remain the best approach given the lack of motorized roads in the areas constantly under attack”.
Buhari commiserated with the government and people of Niger State over the attacks and loss of lives and assured that affected communities would not be abandoned by the rest of the country.
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