Military fighter jets early Saturday, raided hideouts and bandits camps of the notorious bandits leader, Bello Turji.
Turji is also reported to have been ‘incapacitated’ after sustaining severe injuries as a result of the jets strikes, PRNigeria has reported.
According to the report, the attack by the Air Task Force, ATF, Operation Hadin Kai, also killed several bandits in raids carried out at some forests in Zamfara and Sokoto states.
A military intelligence source told PRNigeria that the Air Task Force aggressive operation, in conjunction with ground troops of the Nigerian Army, took place at Shinkafi town in Zamfara, and Bafarawa, Isa, Sabon Birni axis in Sokoto state.
Although the intelligence source could not ascertain the actual number of bandits eliminated by the airstrikes, some of the bandits that attempted to flee after sustaining serious injuries, were ambushed by ground troops.
“Apart from spontaneous operations in Katsina and Zamfara, from 16-17 December 2021, strikes were conducted by NAF aircraft at bandits camps in Isa, Sabon Birni axis and East Tozei where several bandits were eliminated while others escaped in disarray.
“Furthermore in the morning of 18 December, airstrikes were carried out in Gebe village, Sokoto state where bandits were hitherto harassing innocent citizens, were also mercilessly dealt with. Yet, few of the bandits still escaped, abandoning their weapons, in the process,” the source added.
Another intelligence operative of the Nigerian Army, who revealed that the military operation was conducted in the two Northwest states, also said the recent joint operations by air and ground troops are yielding positive results.
According to him, a General Officer Commanding, GOC, led troops to strongholds of the bandits in Sokoto and Zamfara states, at the same time that multiple airstrikes of the military attack jets pounded the criminal bandits.
“Many of them were neutralized. Credible reports indicate that Turji was badly wounded by today’s strike and if not dead. There were civilians that were also set free, after our military raids at the bandits’ forest camps,
“There may likely be collateral damages in communities where bandits are harboured and protected because some community leaders are reluctant to provide useful information on the bandits in their areas,” he said.
PRNigeria
