The Kaduna government says the Nigerian Air Force has neutralised bandits and destroyed their camps in Birnin Gawri, Igabi and Chikun Local Government Areas of the state.

The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the development in a statement on Monday in Kaduna.

“According to the feedback to the Kaduna state government, aerial patrols identified and attacked an active location in Kasarami general area in Chikun local government area,” he said.

Mr Aruwan stated that a bandits’ camp in Kofita and Kuyanbana Forest in Birnin Gwari council were struck with rockets.

“Camps were also targeted and destroyed at Kuduru and Gonan Baturiya, and terrorists were neutralised about 4km west of Nabango,” he added.

According to him, while conducting armed surveillance around Karshi, Kerawa and Walawa axes of Igabi and Giwa LGAs, bandits were sighted nearly 6km southwest of Kerawa and promptly neutralised.

He said close air support was provided to troops conducting clearance operations around Ligarma, Igabi local government area.

The commissioner explained that the house of a notorious bandit leader, Alhaji Lawan, was attacked and destroyed with rockets during the mission.

“The crews maintained a presence overhead as the ground troops cleared terrorists’ enclaves in the area.

“Armed reconnaissance was conducted along the Kaduna-Abuja road and rail lines, with no suspicious activity observed,” he said.

The commissioner said the Kaduna state government received the report with thanks and warmly commended the crews and personnel for the sustained effectiveness of the operations.

“Ground and air patrols will continue in these and other general areas,” Mr Aruwan said.

(NAN)