Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja
Military jets and helicopter gunships operating under Operation Thunder Strike yesterday bombed camps of armed bandits in Kuduru Forest area of Kaduna State.
Following killings in Southern Kaduna, Defence Headquarters (DHQ) had deployed special forces to the state to contain spiralling killings by herdsmen and bandits.
A military update issued by the Directorate of Defence Media Operations (DDMO) said the air strikes killed scores of bandits linked to the Ansaru terror group.
The update signed by the Coordinator of DDMO, Major General John Enenche, said the air interdiction followed intelligence reports indicating the convergence of members of an Ansaru terrorist sect-linked bandits group led by one Mallam Abba at the location.
It said aerial surveillance missions conducted over the area also observed several bandits wielding weapons in the forest.
“The air component of Operation Thunder Strike has neutralised several armed bandits at their camp in the Kuduru Forest area of Kaduna State.
“This was achieved through air strikes carried out on 13 August 2020 on the heels of intelligence reports indicating the convergence of members of an Ansaru Terrorist Sect-linked bandits group, led by one Mallam Abba, at the location”, it said.
The update further stated that “aerial surveillance missions conducted over the area also observed several bandits, some wielding weapons in the forest.
“Nigerian Air Force (NAF) jets and helicopter gunships were tasked to attack the location.
“Several of the bandits were killed as the attack aircraft strafed the area while others attempting to escape were mopped up in follow-on attacks”.
