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Army Airstrikes Kill Suspected Terrorists, Disrupt Bandit Movements In Niger, Kaduna
Army said the operation significantly disrupted the activities of the suspected terrorists, degraded their operational capability and prevented them from regrouping for further attacks.
The Nigerian Army says troops of the Joint Task Force North West, under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have carried out intelligence-led air operations targeting suspected terrorists and armed bandits in parts of Niger and Kaduna states.
The Army disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, saying the Air Component conducted the operations on June 29 following intelligence reports on the movement and gathering of suspected criminal elements within the Joint Operations Area.
According to the statement, one of the operations was carried out in the Dogon Dawa axis of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, where credible intelligence, corroborated by human sources, indicated that more than 200 suspected terrorists on motorcycles had converged in the area.
The Army said aerial surveillance confirmed the movement of the suspects in groups before identifying a large concentration of motorcycles at what was believed to be a refuelling point. The Air Component subsequently carried out a precision airstrike on the location.
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According to the military, a Battle Damage Assessment indicated that several suspected terrorists were neutralised, while others fled with injuries toward the Kurugin Maidawa axis.
It added that the operation significantly disrupted the activities of the suspected terrorists, degraded their operational capability and prevented them from regrouping for further attacks.
In a separate armed reconnaissance mission in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, the Army said intelligence revealed that armed bandits were mobilising to launch reprisal attacks against troops following recent clearance operations in the Womba general area.
According to the statement, air crews intercepted three motorcycles conveying suspected bandits heading toward the Kamuku Forest after the riders attempted to evade detection on sighting the aircraft.
The Army said the operation successfully disrupted the movement of the suspected bandits.
It added that follow-up reconnaissance missions, conducted in coordination with ground troops, found no further suspicious activity in the area.
The statement noted that the operations demonstrated the effectiveness of coordinated air and ground efforts in sustaining pressure on terrorist and bandit groups across the North-West.
It further stated that the Theatre Commander commended personnel involved in the missions and reaffirmed the military’s commitment to sustaining offensive operations until terrorist and bandit enclaves are dismantled and lasting peace is restored across the theatre.
