February 10, 2022

A military fighter jet and helicopter gunship have eliminated some terrorists’ leaders and terrorists in Niger State.

The leaders and their ‘boys’, it was learnt, had launched violent attacks at several communities in Kontagora, Mariga and Rijau Local Government Areas of the State.

Aside from killing children, the criminals, also looted shops, razed many houses and rustled over a thousand cattle.

A military intelligence officer had told PRNigeria that it was bad weather that prevented Nigerian Air Force (NAF) jets from launching offensives against the ‘rampaging’ bandits.

However, the Air Component of Operation Gama Aiki on Wednesday dispatched an Alpha jet and helicopter gunship to the locations to take out the targets as the ground troops with local volunteers were moving in.

Credible intelligence from locals as well as land forces had indicated the movement of several armed terrorists with rustled herds of cattle along Shadadi-Maundu axis.

An intelligence source involved in the operation said: “At Maundu, several armed terrorists in black clothes were sighted running to take cover at nearby clusters of trees. Consequently, the aircraft took turns in engaging the targets.

“Additionally, at Shadadi, radio contact was established with the ground troops who reported movement of terrorists and rustled herds of cattle towards Farin Doka – Bangi – Konam Dutse axis.

“Accordingly, the crew proceeded to the location to take out the targets. At Farin Doka, several armed bandits dressed in black clothes were sighted with large number of about 1000+ rustled herds of cattle and were engaged with rockets. Fleeing terrorists after the initial rocket strikes were mopped up with cannons.”

Local sources supporting the troops in the area confirmed the elimination of some of the terrorists.

“After the bombing by two aircraft one firing from far in the air and another that came later firing close to the ground, the surviving terrorists were running away leaving their dead colleagues and the cattle

“This morning we have counted at least 37 bodies including some suspected to be their leaders,” one of the local vigilantes said.

Meanwhile, fighter jets of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in Kaduna State have killed scores of fleeing armed terrorists.

However, it was gathered that a ground soldier lost his life after sustaining ‘terrible’ injuries from the military bombardments.

The terrorists, who were fleeing onslaughts of troops in Niger, were intercepted at Labi, along Kaduna – Birnin Gwari road, a security intelligence officer, disclosed to PRNigeria.

PRNigeria.