Military kills 20 bandits in Zamfara

Sn Alpha Jet of the Nigerian Force has killed more than 20 suspected bandits at Rugu Forest in Zamfara State.

The hoodlums were killed by the Air Task Force for Operation Diran Mikiya, according to the NAF on Tuesday.

The airmen added that they destroyed a bandit camp belonging to one Alhaji Lawal.

The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, in a statement said the bandits killed were Lawal’s boys.


Daramola said, “The Air Task Force in Zamfara State destroyed the camp of a kingpin, Alhaji Lawal, and neutralised 20 of his fighters near Rugu Forest. This was accomplished in an attack on April 26 after a credible intelligence indicated that the kingpin was camped along with dozens of his fighters at a settlement where he kept his logistics supplies, coordinated operations and launched attacks against security forces as well as civilians.

“Consequently, following detailed Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions, the ATF dispatched one Alpha Jet and an attack helicopter to strike the camp. No fewer than 20 bandits were neutralised in the air strikes.”

Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, said on Tuesday there was no plan to retire officers of any particular ethnic or religious group in any of the services prematurely.

The DHQ stated that recruitment and enlistment in the armed forces were open to the public.

The DHQ acting Director of Defence Information, Col Onyema Nwachukwu, said these in a statement.