By Ishaya Ibrahim
Bandits in Zamfara forest have nowhere to hide. The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji has destroyed the bandits’ camp and killed several of the criminals at Kwayanbana Forest of the state.
The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, in a statement on Tuesday, June 9, in Abuja, said the airstrike was carried out on June 7, t rid Zamfara of bandits and criminals lurking in the state’s thick forest.
He said the operation was in continuation of air strikes being conducted under Operation Accord to destroy the bandits and their hideout.
Enenche said the feat was achieved after intelligence reports and series of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions established that some makeshift structures were hidden under the dense forest vegetation of Zamfara.
He said intelligence report also revealed that the caves in the surrounding high grounds served as hideout for the bandits and their notorious kingpin, Dogo Gede.
Dogo Gede is a notorious kingpin who was said to have killed one of the most dreaded of the bandits, Buharin Daji, for raiding and stealing the cows of his in-law.
According to report, Dogo Gede had called for peace talks with Buharin Daji to resolve the matter. On reaching the venue, he was shot dead by Dogo Gede while his men killed.
According to Enenche, the Air Component dispatched a force of attack aircraft and helicopter gunships to engage the bandits’ location, leading to the destruction of the makeshift structures as well as killing of several bandits in the Zamfara forest.
“The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshall Sadiq Abubakar, commended the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji for their professionalism.
“He urges them to remain resolute in the conduct of air strikes whilst continuing to provide close air support for ongoing ground operations in order to eradicate all bandits.
“This is aimed at accomplishing the directives of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, to restore normalcy in the North West and North Central zones of the country,” he said.