Military carries out air raids against bandits in Zamfara

Nigerian military’s Alpha jet and Mi-35M attack helicopter deployed to Zamfara State as part of the Operation Diran Mikiya, has killed 20 bandits terrorizing the state.

The bandits were killed in Yanwari and Mashema villages during bombing of the armed men’s locations on Thursday.

A statement by the Nigerian Air Force on Friday, said the aircrafts, in coordination with ground troops, battled the bandits’ location with rockets and cannons, adding that many of the bandits were also injured.

It will be recalled that the Federal Government had deployed 1000 soldiers and fighter jets to the state to combat rising killings by bandits in Zamfara. Scores of innocent people have been killed by the ravaging gun men and properties worth several millions destroyed.

The military operation started on July 31.

The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, disclosed the killing of the bandits in the statement.

“Ground troops, while on clearance operations near Mashema, came in contact with a group of bandits at Mashema village and therefore requested for air support.

“Accordingly, a NAF Alpha jet and Mi-35M were scrambled. The combat aircraft engaged the bandits’ location with rockets and cannons, neutralising several of them and causing a few survivors to scamper in different directions.

“While still on armed reconnaissance, the combat helicopter located over 20 bandits dressed in black attire with stolen cattle in their custody, in an open field near Yankari and Hayin Alhaji villages. The bandits, a few of whom were mounted on motorcycles, were engaged by the helicopters’ machine guns.

“Several were neutralised in the air attack while a few survivors, seen fleeing the location, were taken out in subsequent follow-up attacks.

“The operation will be sustained in coordination with other services and scurity agencies to stop killings, cattle rustling and other criminal activities”, Commodore Daramola said in the statement.