The Air Component and ground Troops of Operation Hadarin Daji have recorded a major victory after eliminating over 40 motorcycle-riding terrorists in Malele village of Dansadau local government area of Zamfara State.
The operation was carried out on Saturday when aircraft from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and ground troops of the Nigerian Army, sustained a well-coordinated joint operation, according to sources.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the operation, according to locals, was not without some collateral damages as some residents were killed in the cross-fire that ensued.
A military source narrated how the security services mobilised their troops in launching a series of attacks and airstrikes against the bandits coming from different parts of the country.
“Both the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Air Force (NAF) operations are yielding fantastic results in the area with several terrorists being eliminated as the battle is still on.
“Bandits who were fleeing from NAF airstrikes ran into a small village called Mutunji to take refuge. After ensuring that civilian lives in the village were not at risk, the NAF aircraft undertook a precision strike at the exact location while the ground troops cleared the fleeing bandits in their escape bids
“The intent of the strike was no doubt achieved as it neutralized over 40 of the terrorists who were holed up in a building in the village. Few civilians were however injured with no life-threatening injuries,” a source said.
It’s reported that terrorist activities in the area have been exacerbated due to the lingering crisis between Hausas and Fulanis over the devouring of farm produce thereby making the area very volatile, especially in Malele, Maigoge, Yan Sawayu, Ruwan Tofa, Mai Awaki, and Zama Lafiya, all under Mutunji district of Dansadau Emirate Council of Zamfara State.
A local source said: “Honestly, we must thank the Nigerian Air Force and the Military for their renewed commitment to ensuring that our villages our freed of these criminals.
“We are particularly impressed with their quick and immediate response and intervention whenever called upon. We will however implore the Federal Government to continue to equip the military with more ammunitions capable enough to destroy and neutralize the large number of bandits that we are seeing coming from different places.”
Meanwhile, there were fresh reports that the terrorists, obviously reeling from their devastating loss after the airstrike, attempted an attack on a military convoy on their way to Malele. Luckily, no life was lost except for a soldier who sustained an injury.
“The soldier is positively responding to treatment,” a source added.
Sources also confirmed that terrorists’ kingpins; Halilu Jan Buzu. Turji and Adamu Aleiru are making efforts to reinforce their terrorists’ colleagues in the battlefield after the devastating air strike. Halilu Buzu’s boys, in particular were sighted along Dankurmi on their way to Malele, while those of Adamu Aleiru were seen at Yar Gada, a border between Dansadau and Gusau Emirates, waiting for sunrise to move to the battle ground.
NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, confirmed the strikes.
“Yes. Airstrikes successfully struck a gathering of motorcycle-riding terrorists in Mutunji,” he stated.
