30 Killed As Nigerian Military Bombs Armed Bandits In Zamfara State

The Nigerian Military has recorded another victory in its continued onslaught against armed banditry and other forms of insurgency in the country.

The latest victory was recorded in an airstrike that resulted in the death of 30 bandits while also destroying their logistics store.

According to information made available to Naija News in a statement on Wednesday, the air component of Operation HADARIN DAJI conducted the airstrike at Doumborou forest in Zamfara State.

The airstrike took place on Tuesday, 26th May following credible intelligence on the movement and activities of the bandits.

“The Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI has destroyed an armed bandits’ logistics store and neutralized no fewer than 30 bandits in air strikes conducted yesterday, 26 May 2020, in the Doumborou Forest area of Zamfara State,” the statement said.

“The operation was executed based on credible Human Intelligence (HUMINT) reports indicating that a thatched structure within the Forest was being used by the bandits to store their logistics items. Fortuitously, an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft on patrol spotted some of the armed bandits on motorcycles who were tracked to the storehouse where they lodged some items.”

The statement added that some of the armed bandits who fled after the airstrike were also killed in a mop-up operation by the soldiers.

“The Air Component, therefore, dispatched an attack helicopter to engage the location, scoring accurate hits resulting in the destruction of the store, which was seen engulfed in flames. The attack helicopter subsequently trailed the armed bandits who fled the location and mopped them up in follow-on attacks, neutralizing no fewer than 30 of them as later confirmed by HUMINT sources.”

The troops have been commended for their gallant efforts in tackling the insurgents.

“The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), commends the Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI for their professionalism and directs them to remain resolute in the conduct of air strikes whilst continuing to provide close air support for ongoing ground operations in order to eradicate all armed bandits; thus achieving the directives of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of restoring normalcy in the North West and North Central Zones of the Country.”

“Furthermore, the Armed Forces of Nigeria sincerely appreciates the continued support and cooperation of all well-meaning Nigerians, as we keep up the tempo of our operations to defeat all enemies of our Great Nation.”