Descending On Fleeing Bandit-Terrorists
By Mukhtar Ya’U Madobi
EMERGENCY DIGEST- The Nigeria’s military in collaboration with other security agencies have continued to sustain their offensives from all quarters against the non-state actors holding the country to ransom for quite a very long time.
The renewed commitment by the troops was translated to actions which are displayed through their relentless efforts towards cracking down of various criminal syndicates including insurgents, bandits, kidnappers and a host of others across the country.
For the past few months, it is obvious how coordinated military operations led to the ransacking of several terrorists’ enclaves were a handful of notorious bandits’ kingpins were subsequently eliminated along with their gang members.
The onslaughts were being executed across the nook and crannies of the country, especially the bandits-infiltrated northwest and the Boko Haram-ravaged northeast. And from all indications, the operations are yielding the much desired successes as more criminals are continuously being decimated on a routine basis.
Lately, on February 10, 2022, PRNigeria has reported that fighter jets of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in Kaduna State have killed scores of fleeing armed bandits who were on a mission to relocate to other hideouts. However, the operation came along with a heavy price as a ground soldier lost his life after sustaining ‘terrible’ injuries from the military bombardments he was caught in.
A security intelligent officer told PRNigeria, that the terrorists were fleeing onslaughts of troops in Niger, but unluckily were intercepted at Labi, along Kaduna – Birnin Gwari road, were they ultimately met their water loo. According to the source, the bandits were reported to be in contact with ground troops around the Labi general area.
In his words “Subsequently, the contact with the troops led to the bandits taking the option of following another route to continue their movement.
“Effective intelligence efforts necessitated the blocking of their alternative route by the reinforcing ground forces and the dispatch of attack platforms bearing heavy armament for effective annihilation of the armed bandits.
“The armed bandits and herds of cattle were brought to instant doom as air strikes were conducted in close succession over the general area. Fleeing bandits were followed up and engaged decisively and with sincerity of purpose,” he said.
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With these recent wins, it is obvious that the impact of intelligence gathering and information sharing can never be downplayed as it continued to be a major weapon in the fight against terrorists and terrorism.
In another development, it was also noted that a military fighter jet and helicopter gunship have eliminated some bandit leaders and terrorists in Niger State. It was reported that the terrorists were neutralized after they launched violent attacks at several communities in Kontagora, Mariga and Rijau Local Government Areas of the State. They (terrorists) were involved in killing of children, looting of shops, burning of houses and cattle rustling. Credible intelligence from locals as well as land forces had indicated the movement of several armed bandits with rustled herds of cattle along the Shadadi-Maundu axis.
According to the local sources supporting the troops in the community, not less than 37 bandits were decimated during this joint military operation.
“After the bombing by two aircraft one firing from far in the air and another that came later firing close to the ground, the surviving bandits were running away leaving their dead colleagues and the cattle
“This morning we have counted at least 37 bodies including some suspected to be their leaders,” one of the local vigilantes said.
However, it can be recall that the bandits at Shadadi-Farin Doka-Bangi axis were the same criminal elements that have been terrorizing Niger State, especially Kontangora-Magama LGAs.
Meanwhile, it is interesting and equally heartwarming to learn that the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) has been collaborating with other country’s intelligence bodies, notably the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and Department of State Service (DSS) in discharging its enshrine mandates. In addition, it also ensures synergy among the three Armed Forces of Nigeria including the police in areas of intelligence gatherings and information sharing.
It is undoubtedly that this synergy has been the backbone responsible for the success of military operations against criminalities across the country.
Because, it can be recalled that, on February 04 2022, PRNigeria reported how military fighter jets, including Super Tucano belonging to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ‘aggressively’ raided camps of the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) on February 3rd and 4th during a weeklong sustained aerial attacks. About 25 ISWAP fighters were drowned in Marte River along Lake Chad axis as a result of these aerial bombardments.
Now that the troops are becoming ruthless and filing more pressure on the terrorists from all directions, it is surely that the long awaited moment is imminent as very soon, the citizens will celebrate the end of terror reign in Nigeria.
Mukhtar is a Staff Writer with Emergency Digest
