200 armed bandits killed by multiple air strikes in Zamfara, Katsina States

The Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI has killed over 200 armed bandits in multiple air strikes conducted at Ibrahim Mai’Bai’s Camp in Jibia Local Government Area (LGA) of Katsina State and Kurmin Kura in Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State on 22 and 23 May 2020.

Coordinator, Defence Media Operations Major General John Enenche who confirmed this in a statement Sunday said the air strikes were executed after series of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions led to the confirmation that the 2 locations were being used as hideouts for some notorious armed bandit leaders whilst also serving as collection points for rustled cattle.

Accordingly, Air Component, employing Nigerian Air Force ground attack aircraft and helicopter gunships, engaged the two locations in multiple passes, destroying the makeshift structures in the camps as well as killing the bandit leaders and their fighters.

”Human Intelligence (HUMINT) sources later confirmed that close to 200 armed bandits were killed in the air strikes at the target locations” He added.

Reacting to the development, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, commended the Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI for their professionalism and directed them to remain resolute towards eradicating all armed bandits thus achieving directives of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of restoring normalcy in the North West and North Central Zones of the Country.

The Air Chief has also directed that additional assets be deployed to cover Kaduna, Niger, Nasarawa and Kogi States to frustrate any attempt of the bandits to relocate to adjoining States.