The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has said the ongoing Operation ‘Diran Mikiya’ targeting at Zamfara bandits at Dajin Rugu shall be extended to cover, Birnin Gwari (Kaduna), Sokoto and Katsina axis.
Speaking with newsmen on Wednesday shortly after returning from Zamfara state at the Umaru Musa Yar’adua Airport in Katsina, base of the operation, the Air chief said the expansion was necessary following the review of the 3-month-old operation.
He said smaller outposts shall be created for fuelling and landing of choppers with a view to speeding up the processes adding that the operation will be re-strategized to meet with present demand of the operation.
According to him, since the commencement of the operation on 31 July, it was only necessary to review and assess it saying that the operation is good, but there are some challenges which need to be addressed to make it more vibrant.
Earlier, the CAS was at the Katsina Government House where he told Governor Masari that intelligence is key in dealing with present security challenges.
He noted that the Airforce is ready to deploy more personnel and assets to address banditry around the Rugu forest.
In his remarks, Masari stressed the need for synergy between the Airforce and ground troops in the operation saying that aerial bombardment can be more effective if there is mop up of arms by the ground troops to check reclaiming them by the bandits.
He assured of his administration’s readiness to continue to support the operation within its available resources.
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