Troops kill ’37 bandits’ in Zamfara

Troops of the Nigerian Army, with support from the air component of Operation Fansan Yamma, reportedly killed 37 bandits during a joint air and ground offensive in Zamfara.  

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, the operation targeted terrorist hideouts in the Kaura Namoda LGA. 

The publication quoted intelligence sources as saying that the operation was carried out on March 10. 

“At around 11:00 a.m. yesterday, a fighter jet on reconnaissance spotted a large gathering of heavily armed bandits set to ambush advancing troops,” a military source was quoted as saying.

“The air strike was immediately launched, resulting in heavy casualties among the insurgents.

“Ground troops later swept through the area to eliminate the fleeing militants. 

“I can confirm that 37 bodies were seen loitering all over the place, while several other terrorists managed to escape with severe injuries.”

The sources also added that the injured bandits fled into the forest, with the troops tracking their movements.