The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has conducted air strikes on eight bandits’ camps in Zamfara State, leaving scores of them dead.
The bandits’ camps were discovered in Doumborou, Sububu, West Malamawa, Baturia Pond, Kagara Forest, Kamarawa, Kunduma and Rugu Forest areas of the state.
According to the NAF, the bombings of the camps were carried out by the Air Task Force for Operation Diran Mikiya, and additional fighter jets had been deployed in the North-West for the air interdiction missions.
Information from the military also revealed on Wednesday that some bandits were “fleeing towards the border between Nigeria and Niger Republic” and the air force authorities were liaising with Niger Republic to ensure that the bandits did not escape through the southern part of the neighbouring country.
The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, disclosed in a statement that the air force discovered and bombed the bandits’ camps from Monday through Wednesday.
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He said, “The air strikes were intensified on Monday with the deployment of additional aircraft aimed at flushing out the bandits from their hideouts in Sububu, Rugu and Kagara forests.
“On the first day of the operation, the ATF conducted coordinated air raids against multiple identified bandits’ hideouts at Doumborou, Sububu, West Malamawa, Baturia Pond and Rugu Forest, where several bandits were neutralised and their camps destroyed.
“On Tuesday, the ATF conducted waves of attacks against three other locations. In all, we degraded eight camps and neutralised scores of bandits.
“Reports indicate that, as a result of the air strikes, some bandits are fleeing towards the border between Nigeria and the Niger Republic. Accordingly, the ATF is liaising with relevant authorities to ensure that the bandits are prevented from escaping through the southern part of Niger Republic.”