NAF air strikes kill ‘scores of bandits’ in Sokoto, Katsina

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reportedly killed scores of bandits during air strikes on hideouts in Sokoto and Katsina states.

Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, said the military launched air strikes on the camp of Bello Turji, “a terrorist kingpin”, in Kagara forest, which straddles Shinkafi in Zamfara and Isa LGA in Sokoto.

The publication said the strikes resulted in the killing of scores of fighters, including the top three bandit kingpins in the region.

“It was gathered that the air strikes were conducted a few hours after the terrorists carried out a reprisal attack on a unit of the Civilian Joint Task Force at Forward Operating Base ISA, in response to the killing of 7 bandits and recovery of  7 AK47 rifles, 4 x motorcycles and other items,” Zagazola Makama said. 

“Eight Civilian Joint Task Force members paid the supreme price during a gun battle with the bandits. 

“Acting on intelligence on the withdrawal of the attackers towards the axis of Shinkafi, the air component immediately dispatched aircraft to track down the terrorists.

“Battle damage assessment indicated that some top bandits like Kachallah Uban Daba, Dan Jangeru and Dogo Na Hants [were killed in the attack], while 13 bandits sustained various injuries.

“Bello Turji reportedly escaped the attack.”

In a similar incident, the air component of Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) also launched an aerial and ground-coordinated operation targeting one Monore, a bandit kingpin, in the east of Katsina village of Danmusa LGA. 

The operation, which was reportedly conducted on Sunday, led to the killing of over 20 terrorists.

According to Zagazola, an unknown number of high-profile fighters, including members of the kingpin’s family, were killed. 

“Monore is the chief coordinator of all atrocities committed by bandits in Danmusa, Musawa, Matazu, Safana and Kankara LGAs in Katsina state,” the publication said. 

“The bandits kingpin has killed dozens of people, razed villages, attacked commuters and placed ransom on communities. 

“His hideout was located in the east of Katsina village of Danmusa LGA before he eventually evacuated to a new hideout around Bichi Mallamawa mountains along with his family and fighters, where he was trailed and neutralised.”

NAF also reportedly launched another air strike on a bandit camp located around the border between Katsina and Zamfara, and which belongs to Kachallah Dogo Idi, a notorious bandit kingpin. 

The air strikes reportedly resulted in the death of 26 bandits, while dozens of fighters, including the bandits’ leader, sustained varying degrees of injuries. 

The operation also led to the escape of 23 women who were kidnapped last week in Shemori Gidan Kwabo and Gidan Kare by the bandits.