1st January, 2022
Notorious bandits’ leaders, Alhaji Auta, and Kachalla Ruga, were killed alongside many of their gang members in a raid on their enclaves at Gusami Forest and Tsamre village in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area of Zamfara State on Friday night.
Reports indicated that Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft, under Operation Hadarin Daji, acting on credible intelligence bombed the enclaves of the notorious bandit Commanders in the forest on Friday evening.
According to PRNigeria, gang members of the bandits’ leaders were also eliminated by multiple airstrikes by the NAF jet in the early hours of Saturday.
It was also gathered that dozens of bandits who had converged at late Auta’s residence, for his burial were also struck by missiles of the military jet, with an unconfirmed number killed in the process.
Follow-up airstrikes conducted by the NAF fighter aircraft on fleeing bandits and those who took cover under trees within the area, resulted in heavy casualties on the side of the criminals, PR Nigeria further reported quoting military sources.
“For now, the whereabouts of other notorious bandits like Alhaji Nashama, Shingi and Halilu who may either be incapacitated or on the run remain unknown,” the officer added.
Aggressive bombardments by NAF aircraft, have in recent times been very precise and effective in hitting bandits’ enclaves, eliminating their leaderships and followers, in the process in recent times, the source added.
“These operations have reassured citizens of the commitment and dedication of the military and other security agencies, towards bringing the threats posed by banditry under check, in no distant time.
“The citizens, especially around the affected communities, are enjoined to continually provide security agencies with credible information that will go a long way towards tackling the threats to their lives and livelihood,” he said.