Troops kill scores of bandits, rescue victims in Sokoto, Zamfara

By Charles Joseph

July 12, 2020 - Scores of bandits have been neutralised in their camp in part of Kwiambana Forest in Zamfara State by an airstrike, the Defence Headquarters has said.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja that the strike was carried out by the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji.

Enenche said the attack followed a discovery that a group of structures hidden under the dense forest vegetation served as hideouts for suspected Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) elements and fighters under the notorious armed bandit kingpin, Dogo Gede.

According to him, the Air Component, therefore, dispatched a force package of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets and helicopter gunships to attack the location.

“The attack aircraft took turns in engaging the target causing damage to some structures in the camp and neutralizing scores of the criminals.

“Several bandits, who were seen attempting to flee on foot and on about 15 motorcycles, were mopped-up in follow on attacks by the helicopters.

“Intelligence sources later revealed that several of the bandits were neutralised and their motorcycles destroyed as a result of the air strikes.”