Troops clear bandits’ camp along Kaduna-Abuja expressway

The Land and Air Components of “Operation THUNDER STRIKE” have neutralized several bandits in a joint offensive operation to clear identified bandits’ camp around Kuku area of Kagarko Local Government Area along the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway axis of Kaduna State.

In a statement, Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters, Major General John Enenche said the operation was executed on 17 November 2020, on the heels of credible Human Intelligence reports, indicating that a cluster of huts and other structures at the location served as hideouts for a notorious bandits’ leader, named “Major”, along with his fighters.

Enenche said the first wave of the Air Component’s air strikes, which involved six Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft undertaking five missions in a total of 13 sorties, commenced at dawn and targeted the cluster of huts housing “Major”.

The attack aircraft hit some of the target structures and neutralized some of the bandits.

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He further stated that the second wave of attacks was executed by NAF helicopter gunships which, while continuing to engage the bandits’ location, also provided close air support to the land component as they advanced from Kagarko via Kuku into the bandits’ enclave.

He said this paved way for the ground troops to overrun and destroy the camp without effective resistance from the bandits.

Enenche said NAF Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft remained airborne providing situational awareness for the troops throughout the operation.

He said the Military High Command commended the land and air components for their professionalism and urged them to remain resolute in the conduct of operations in order to eradicate all bandits.

He said the Armed Forces of Nigeria “sincerely appreciate the continued support and cooperation of all well-meaning Nigerians, as it keeps up the tempo of operations to defeat all enemies of the Nation.”