Nigeria military authorities on Tuesday said its fighter jets have killed at least 82 armed gunmen suspected to be bandits in Kastina and Zamfara State respectively.

The operation was executed on Monday by the air component of ‘Operation Hadarin Daji’ sequel to credible human intelligence reports, defence spokesman, John Enenche said in a statement in Abuja.

Mr. Enenche, disclosed that 67 bandits were killed in Kogo forest in Kastina State while 15 bandits were neutralised in another separate attack at Ajjah forest in Zamfara State.

The military also noted that the bandits were seen with a sophisticated sets of weapons.

“No fewer than 67 bandits, armed with very high calibre weapons, including Anti-Aircraft (AA) Guns, have been neutralised and several others injured in air interdiction missions executed by the Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI at Birnin Kogo Forest in Katsina State,” he said. “In the same vein, about 15 armed bandits were eliminated in air strikes conducted by the Air Component at Ajjah Forest in Zamfara State.”

“Both air strikes were carried out yesterday, 23 November 2020, 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 military continues to claim victory over criminals and bandits who are ravaging villages across Northern region of the country. 

Many communities have been sacked and internally displaced persons continue to throng urban areas. Peoples Gazette has severally reported cases of abductions and of citizens in Kaduna and other Northern states.

Last month, American special forces engaged kidnappers who abducted one of its citizens in a Nigerian forest close to Nigerien border.