Nigerian Military Destroys Terrorist Camps In Kaduna

An unspecified number of terrorists locally known as bandits were on Wednesday 3, Nov. reported to be eliminated during an aerial assault on identified bandit enclaves around the boundary area in Chikun local government area, Kaduna state, Northwest Nigeria. 

A statement by Samuel Aruwan, commissioner of the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs on Wednesday, said the strikes were conducted in over-identified locations in Kauwuri and Gaude villages.

“According to operational feedback from the military, the locations were identified as bandit hideouts after thorough checks and analysis of various intelligence reports,” Mr Aruwan said.

He said fighter jets attacked the ‘bandit’ camps in Kauwuri general area and ‘armed bandits’ were observed fleeing from the locations in the first mission.

“A helicopter gunship then followed for a close mop-up with rockets and cannons. In a second wave over Gaude, the air platforms attacked the identified bandit hideouts in the area. Bandits were similarly observed attempting to take cover under some trees. The location was then attacked accordingly,” the statement read

Aruwan explained that the ground forces however trailed and engaged the dozens of bandits who fled the location following the strikes.

The commissioner said, “many bandits were neutralized during the entire mission, and several camps were destroyed.”

He said the government is appealing to citizens who might come across suspicious persons seeking medical attention in the general area to report to Kaduna State Security Operations.

Governor Nasir El-Rufai expressed optimism that more of such would follow. He urged the forces to sustain the tempo towards the obliteration of such criminals across the State.

Kaduna, like other states in the Northwest region of Nigeria, has come under terrorist attack in recent times.

In September 2021, state governments in the region adopted strict measures to combat the terrorism in the region but it remains to be seen if the measures yielded results.