Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, on Sunday commended the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) for the successeses of its intensified operations against bandits in the State, particularly in Zurmi and Maradun Local Government Areas (LGAs).
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), alongside troops of Nigerian Army (NA) under the ongoing Operation Hadarin Daji, had conducted series of airstrikes and ground operations on Friday and Saturday, escalating coordinated military actions which neutralised terrorists, dismantling their strongholds in North West region especially Zamfara State.
With the pressures, the terrorists retreated to more remote areas in the Maradun and Zurmi axes as airstrikes complemented by ground troops and local vigilantes inflicted significant casualties on the fleeing assailants.
In a statement by Spokesperson of Governor Lawal, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the State government expressed its appreciation for the military’s precision strikes, acknowledging that the operations significantly degraded the operational capacity of the bandits.
“The intervention by the military has shown the commitment of the Nigeria Air Force to carrying out its constitutional mandate of protecting civilians and safeguarding lives and property,” the statement read.
However, the statement also acknowledged an unfortunate incident in Tungar Kara, Zurmi LGA, where civilian casualties were recorded.
The Governor’s Spokesperson admitted that members of the local vigilante group, Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF), were mistakenly identified as fleeing bandits during the operation.
“We deeply regret the loss of lives of some vigilantes who were mistaken for bandits during the airstrikes at Tungar Kara. We extend our heartfelt condolences to their families and pray for Almighty Allah to grant them Jannah,” the statement added.
Reaffirming its commitment to supporting the Nigerian military and other security agencies in their operations, the government pledged to enhance intelligence sharing, provide logistical assistance, and strengthen community engagement to achieve lasting peace in the State.
“We assure the people of Zamfara State that we will continue to sustain the gains made in the fight against banditry and related criminalities. The sacrifices of the deceased will not be in vain,” the statement emphasized.
Zamfara State, which has become the hub of terrorism and banditry in North West Nigeria witnessed a beehive of military aerial and ground operations over the weekend where they executed a series of well-coordinated operations that decimated notorious terrorists camps and fighters while freeing kidnapped victims in the State.
However, some local vigilantes pursuing the bandits inadvertently found themselves caught in crossfire, resulting in collateral casualties. Injured vigilantes were promptly evacuated to healthcare facilities in Kaura Namoda, Zurmi, and Kaya for medical treatment.
Meanwhile, sources confirmed that prominent terrorists and bandit warlords and their fighters who fled their hideouts in Shinkafi LGA’s forest are relocating to the Surbudu Forest in Isa LGA of Sokoto State. This is raising fears of potential regrouping and new frontiers of violence by the criminal elements.
Despite the movement of terrorists’ kingpins, commanders and fighters, sources noted that the whereabouts of terrorists’ leaders, including Bello Turji, Ado Allero and Dan Ishu remain unclear but that many of their top commanders were eliminated in the NAF offensives over the weekend.
Aleiro is continuously shifting locations to evade capture, due to the mounting pressure that bandits face from security forces.
Aleiro, was reported to have retreated into hiding in a remote village within Eastern Tsafe, specifically in the area known as Asaula in a separate operation Amid the ongoing battle against armed banditry in the villages of Eastern and Western Tsafe.
During one of the troops strategic ambushes strategic ambushes, Aleiro’s brother, Dan Isihu, the notorious bandits kingpin who recently imposed N172million on 25 villages, was engaged in a heavy fire after encountering with the ground troops along the Kyaware road.
According to the source: “Nearly 60 terrorists were neutralised in NAF jet bombardments in a coordinated operation with the ground troops.
“Even those attempting to flee were intercepted and eliminated by ground troops, aided by courageous vigilantes familiar with the terrain even though there is an element of collateral damages during the operation.”
The operation in Fakai reportedly inflicted significant losses on the terrorists as “about 25 bodies were taken to Sabon Garin Jena village for burial, while additional corpses and injured individuals were moved to Tungan Nasarawa village,” the source added.
However, seven kidnapped victims escaped from kidnap camps linked to Turji’s syndicate.
Towards this, the Spokesperson for Operation Fansan Yamma, Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi, issued a stern warning to terrorist kingpins and their associates, urging them to surrender and renounce violence unconditionally.
Colonel Abdullahi also reassured the public of the military’s unwavering dedication to restoring peace and security in the affected communities.
