200 Bandits Killed as Troops Rescue Widow Abducted 5 Years Ago
The Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI has neutralized close to 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.
The Defence Media Operations (DMO), who made this known in a statement yesterday, said the air strikes were in continuation of the offensive to rid the North West of armed bandits, and other criminal elements.
According to Maj. Gen. John Enenche, who is the Coordinator of DMO, the air strikes were executed after series of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions led to the confirmation that the two locations were being used as hideouts for some notorious armed bandit leaders, while also serving as collection points for rustled cattle.
He said: “Accordingly, Air Component, employing Nigerian Air Force ground attack aircraft and helicopter gunships, engaged the 2 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.
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“The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), commends the Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI for their professionalism and directs 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 CAS 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.”
In a separate release, Enenche, disclosed that troops of Strong Response Area Ngoshe while on patrol, on 18 May 2020, intercepted a woman named Maryam Ali in the bush.
He said preliminary investigation revealed that the woman was abducted by Boko Haram criminals 5 years ago after they killed her husband.
“She further revealed that her escape from Boko Haram criminals was made possible by the devastating artillery and mortar bombardments on the Boko Haram criminals enclave in Gava, Gwoza LGA of Borno State by Nigerian Army troops that killed 15 of the insurgents, while many others, including herself, suffered various degrees of wounds. She was however, given First Aid by the troops and later moved to a medical facility for further management,” the DMO Coordinator added.
Maj. Gen. Enenche, while speaking on ongoing military operations in the South South, explained that troops of 16 Brigade Garrison (Main) deployed in Harry’s Town, Rivers State, who were acting on credible intelligence, stormed a sea pirates’ hideout at Erisekin, on 19 May 2020.
He added that the suspects fled the hideout on sighting the approaching troops’ gunboats.
However, the troops recovered one pump action gun, one motorcycle and two live cartridges from the sea pirates’ den.
The DMO Coordinator further stated, that same troops of 16 Brigade Garrison (Main), conducted a cordon and search operation on 17 May 2020, at Bukuma Community.
He said: “Items recovered during the operation include: one AK-47 rifle, one pump action gun, one Wembley and Scott Pistol, four AK-47 rifle magazines, two explosives and 48 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition. However, no arrest was made as the suspects abandoned the enclave before arrival of troops.”
