NAF Raids Zamfara Terrorists’ Enclaves, Kills 16

The air component of military Operation Hadarin Daji has raided the hideouts of terrorist kingpins, Ado Aliero and Dankarami, in Zamfara and Katsina states.

The air operations were conducted in Zurmi, Tsafe, Faskari, and Jibia Local Government Areas of Zamfara and Katsina states between July 28 and 29.

It was gathered that no fewer than 16 terrorists were killed during the air raids on Dankarami enclaves.

A military report on the operations sighted by our correspondent on Tuesday stated that the raids were conducted after an intelligence report.

“In continuation of efforts to rid the North-West region of terrorists and their activities, strikes by the air component of Operation Hadarin Daji have recently been heightened in the entire region.

“Specifically, in Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State, the air component obliterated at least 16 terrorists in enclaves believed to belong to terrorist Kingpin, Dankarami. The strikes were conducted following credible intelligence on the whereabouts of terrorist kingpin Dankarami, known for collaborating with other kingpins in the area to carry out violent attacks on some communities in Zurmi LGA.

“Similar air strikes were carried out at terrorist kingpin Ado Aliero’s enclave near Asola Mountains in the Tsafe LGA of Zamfara State, following information that the kingpin and his foot soldiers had been responsible for recent abductions and cattle rustlings in communities within Tsafe and Faskari LGAs of Katsina State,” the report stated.

According to the report, one Mallam Kabiru Umaru, a local farmer near Tsafe, who witnessed the strikes, revealed that structures within the location were destroyed but the few surviving terrorists were observed fleeing the location after the strike.

When contacted, NAF Spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, stated that the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, had ordered increased air operations in the region.

He said, “The increase in air strikes, especially in the North-West in line with the directive of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, to all air component commanders to ensure they, alongside sister services and other security agencies, free the entire region of terrorists and other criminal elements.

“So far, the CAS has expressed satisfaction with the level of successes recorded just as he has enjoined the component commanders to sustain the tempo.”