Air bombardments by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) have killed 16 terrorists loyal to criminal kingpin, Dankarami, in Zurmi, Tsafe and Faskari local government areas of Zamfara State, and Jibia local government area Katsina State.
A military source told The Nation that the air strikes were conducted between 28 to 29 July 2023, following credible intelligence of Dankarami’s whereabout, whom he said was known for collaborating with other kingpins in the area to carry out violent attacks on some communities in Zurmi local government.
The source further said that several terrorists on eight motorcycles and herds of cattle were spotted heading towards a hidden camp in the bushes which was subsequently struck by NAF aircraft.
“The aftermath of the strikes later revealed the obliteration of all the motorcycles and the decimation of at least,” he said.
The source also said that similar air strikes were carried out at terrorist kingpin Ado Aliero’s enclave near Asola Mountains in Tsafe local government of Zamfara State and Faskari local government of Katsina State.
According to the source, the air strikes destroyed structures within the terrorists’ enclave, while a few surviving terrorists were seen fleeing the location after the strike.
“About an hour later, some terrorists who returned to the location to evacuate casualties and salvage some of their belongings from the rubbles, but were again struck by NAF aircraft,@ he said.
When contacted, NAF Spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, confirmed the development.
He said that the increase in air strikes in the North West was in line with the directive of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), 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,” Gabkwet said.