The Kaduna government, on Wednesday, said dozens of bandits were killed by the Nigerian Air Force and their camps destroyed.

The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

“Another successful outing has been reported by security forces, as an unspecified number of bandits were neutralised during an aerial assault on identified bandit enclaves around the boundary area with a neighbouring state in Chikun local government area,” said the government statement. “According to the operational feedback from the military, the strikes were conducted over identified locations in Kauwuri and Gaude villages.”

After thorough checks and analysis of various intelligence reports, the Kaduna government explained that the locations were identified as bandits’ hideouts.

“In the first mission, fighter jets attacked the bandit camps in Kauwuri general area, and armed bandits were observed fleeing from the locations. A helicopter gunship then followed for a close mop-up with rockets and cannons,” it explained.

The statement added that in a second wave over Gaude, the air platforms attacked the identified bandit hideouts in the area.

“Bandits were similarly observed attempting to take cover under some trees,” it said. “The location was then attacked accordingly.”

The Kaduna government further explained that ground forces trailed and engaged the bandits who fled following the airstrikes.

“Assessment revealed that many bandits were neutralised during the entire mission, and several camps destroyed,” Aruwan added. Governor Nasiru El-Rufai welcomed the operational feedback with satisfaction and commended the security forces heartily for the well-executed missions,” the statement added. “The governor who expressed optimism that more of such would follow urged the forces to sustain the tempo towards obliterating the criminal elements across the state.”

It mentioned that the government “is appealing to citizens who might come across suspicious persons seeking medical attention in the general area to report to the Kaduna State Security Operations Room on 09034000060 and 08170189999.”

(NAN)