The Nigerian Air Force, on Tuesday, launched a bombardment of bandits’ hideouts in its bid to rid the country of banditry, insurgency and other kinds of internal security threats.
The bombardment is part of the Combat Mission in the ongoing subsidiary Operation Kashe Mugu 2.
Our correspondent reports that NAF aircrafts, including the Beechcraft KingAir, Agusta 109 power helicopter, the Alpha jet and the MI 35 took part in the operation launched at the NAF base in Kaduna.
Our correspondent further reports that the Alfa jets returned 15 minutes after their take-off to report back to the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Mashal Sadique Abubakar on the mission field.
Even though the air force authorities would not disclose the locations of the bombardment, our correspondent gathered that Birnin Gwari and Kajuru were among the flash points.
Speaking to journalists, the CAS, who assured that the operation was successful, said the focus is to eliminate all enemies of the state, including bandits and terrorists.
He said: “Those bandits would no longer be there, that will translate into additional security for our people, and there is no hiding place for the bandits in the forest.
“We will make sure if they come out, our sister services will neutralize them, and the police will also be there to ensure the communities are secured.
“Those of them that think they can hide in the forest; there is no hiding place anymore, we will continue to work on them.
“This is the second operation they have just conducted, they are going for another one.
“We will make sure that all the identified camps that we have seen, particularly around the border between Kaduna and Zamfara State, are cleared.
“We will continue taking ISR missions to identify other camps where they are.”
He stressed that each camp that is identified will be cleared, noting that the major outing is to make sure the North West, North Central and indeed, the whole county is secured.
“We want to make sure that those who think they can establish locations within the North West, especially the ISWAP elements, to send a clear message to them that they will not have the opportunity to do that.
“This operation is also taking place in the North East and we are there in Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara and Niger State, all hands are on deck and I think we are doing our best.
According to him, the idea of fighting a war is all about intelligence.
He said: “We are very excited with the Kaduna and other state governments, Katsina and Zamfara, because we are getting cooperation from them, and they are passing relevant information which we are cross checking to ensure it is credible and useful.
He noted that the exercise would be sustained, adding: “Just like we have been fighting in the North East, we will ensure the North West and North Central region of the country is secured.”
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