The Nigerian military reports significant gains in its fight against banditry, with scores of gunmen eliminated during air and ground raids in Zamfara state. This comes as the region grapples with escalating violence and kidnapping for ransom.
Major Offensive Against Bandits in Nigeria Claims Numerous Lives
Major Offensive Against Bandits in Nigeria Claims Numerous Lives
Nigerian air force conducts successful operations, targeting criminal gangs in Zamfara state, killing many bandits amid ongoing violence.
In a significant operation, the Nigerian air force has reported the death of numerous gunmen, often referred to as "bandits," linked to criminal gangs operating in Zamfara state. A statement released on Monday revealed that the military executed a targeted raid at the Makakkari forest, identified as a hideout for these armed perpetrators who have been notorious for high-profile kidnappings in the region.
The operation was prompted by surveillance that indicated more than 400 gang members were preparing for an attack on a nearby village. Over the last fortnight, armed factions have rampaged through local settlements, resulting in multiple fatalities and numerous abductions. Among these incidents, at least 13 security personnel have also lost their lives.
The air strikes, executed in tandem with ground assaults, resulted in the elimination of several high-ranking bandit leaders and many of their operatives. Air force spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, noted that ground forces managed to intercept and neutralize additional bandits attempting to flee the area.
With financial motives driving the bandits, kidnapping for ransom has proliferated within parts of Nigeria. These criminal forces have increasingly allied themselves with jihadist groups involved in a protracted armed insurgency in the northeast, further complicating the security landscape.
Despite persistent military campaigns against such groups, which notably included a previous offensive last month that reportedly resulted in the deaths of 95 bandits, violence remains a stark reality in the region. As the country grapples with ongoing unrest, the UN has warned that diminishing aid could push more Nigerians into the arms of extremist factions like Boko Haram.
