Olayemi Esan
The Military says no fewer than 67 bandits, armed with very high calibre weapons, including Anti-Aircraft (AA) Guns, have been killed and several others injured in air interdiction missions executed by the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji at Birnin Kogo Forest in Katsina State.
Coordinator Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.
The Military Spokesperson also added that, about 15 armed bandits were killed in air strikes conducted by the Air Component at Ajjah Forest in Zamfara State.
He said, "Both air strikes were carried out sequel to credible Human Intelligence (HUMINT) reports as well as aerial surveillance missions that led to the identification of the 2 forest hideouts, which housed scores of the armed bandits along with hundreds of rustled cattle".
"The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets and helicopter gunships dispatched by the Air Component to attack the 2 locations took turns in engaging the target areas, scoring accurate hits on the caves, which are used by the armed bandits to shield themselves from air strikes", he said.
The Military High Command therefore commends the troops and other security agencies operating in the North West zone for their professionalism and urges them to remain resolute in order to eradicate all armed bandits.