Nigerian Air Force, NAF, has destroyed bandits’ camp and killed several bandits during aerial missions conducted in Chikun and Birnin Gwari Local Government Areas of Kaduna State.
Confirming the report, the State Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said operational feedbacks from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to the Kaduna State Government disclosed that the air component of :Operation Thunder Strike” conducted a series of aerial missions across several locations in the two Local Governments.
Aruwan further stated that armed reconnaissance was conducted over Erena, Kusasu, Kuduru, Kulefe, Kusherki and Shiroro in neighboring Niger State as well as Chikun and environs, in Chikun local government area.
Bandits were reportedly seen fleeing Kaduna State in part of Kusasu (in Chikun LGA) on motorcycles.
They were said to have been trailed by the crew and subsequently neutralized.
He said armed reconnaissance was conducted along the Kaduna-Abuja expressway, Olam Farms, Rugu, Akilbu, Polewire Rijana, Katari, Jere and adjoining settlements.
Aruwan added that normal human activities and free flow of traffic were observed along the highway and rail line.
He said all locations scanned were reportedly calm with no threats observed.
He added that the strike aircraft carried out operations over Jan Birni, Birnin Gwari local government area, which were observed to be active with bandits.
Aruwan said the targets were attacked by the aircraft, and were subsequently confirmed that some bandits were indeed taken out and the camp set ablaze and destroyed.
He said a second mission was flown over another identified camp in the area, which was also attacked, set ablaze and completely destroyed by two strike aircraft.
The Commissioner said a show-of-force was carried out by the aircraft over the Birnin Gwari general area, Kaduna metropolis and Zaria and normal human activities were observed along the expressways and rail lines.
He said the operations continued as aircraft conducted armed reconnaissance and show-of-force over Birnin Gwari, Kaduna metropolis and Zaria.
Aruwan also stated that free flow of traffic was similarly observed along the expressways and rail line.
Normal activities were reported within the metropolis as citizens observed the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations without incident.
He said a show-of-force was conducted over Gwagwada, Gadani, Chikun, Kusasu, Iburu, Zamba, Shiroro, Kuta, Kwatayi and Erena, spanning Chikun, Kachia and Kajuru LGAs and all locations covered were reported calm with no threats observed.
Aruwan said these air operations, which included air interdiction, armed reconnaissance and patrols were set to be sustained over the coming days over Kaduna metropolis and other areas of interest in the state.
Major highways will also be covered, including the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari, Kaduna-Abuja, Kaduna-Zaria, Kaduna-Kachia and Kaduna-Afaka roads.
He said Governor Nasir el-Rufai commended the crews for the successful missions, and thanked them for their proactive operations.
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