NAF Airstrikes Annihilate Terrorists’ Hideouts In North East, North West

NAF Airstrikes Annihilate Terrorists’ Hideouts In North East, North West

The Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) in the North East and Operation Hadarin Daji in North West has destroyed several terrorists’ enclaves in recent operations across the theatres. This is contained in a statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, on Sunday in Abuja. Gabkwet said the operations were coordinated in collaboration with the land component and other security agencies within the operational theatres. He said the troops had ensured that terrorists, insurgents and other criminal elements operating in the two regions did not constitute significant security threats to innocent citizens within the regions. In the North East, Gabkwet said the precision air strikes by the Air Component of OPHK on Nov. 3, led to the elimination of several terrorists at their meeting point near Degbawa, a reclusive location within the Mandara Mountains in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno. He said the air strikes were called for after intelligence revealed the sighting of some key terrorists’ figures and their foot soldiers arriving the location for a probable meeting. According to him, their gathering in large number raised concerns, thus necessitating the need for an air interdiction on the location with devastating outcome for the terrorists. “An assessment of the location after the strike revealed several terrorists were indeed eliminated. “According to several sources, the particular location was carefully chosen by the terrorists to evade being easily detected, especially by NAF aircraft. “The outcome of the strike, however, proved the terrorists wrong as their nefarious plans to meet were detected, thus leading to the success of the air strike. “The sources also noted that this strike was a major setback for the terrorists who have, of late, been at the receiving end of the air and land components of OPHK,” he said. NAF spokesman said that there were also strong indications that the terrorists were responsible for the recent attack on some locals in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe on October 31. He said the terrorists had planned to meet to review the attack as well as plan the next line of attack on innocent civilians and other vulnerable targets. In the North West, Gabkwet said the Air Component of OPHD has on Nov. 1, conducted series of successful airstrikes in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State, targeting the hideout of a notorious terrorist kingpin, Babaru. According to him, Babaru has been implicated in numerous acts of terrorism and banditry across Kankara and adjacent LGAs in Katsina State. He said that the said Badaru was involved in the massacre of over 100 residents of Gidan Gari and Yarmai-Yadiya villages in Bakori Local Government Area on February 2. According to him, the airstrikes destroyed Babaru’s hideout and eliminated several terrorists, though there was no confirmation if Babaru was among those neutralised. Gabkwet said the air strikes were also carried out at the enclave of terrorist kingpin known as Mai Solar in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara. According to him, the air strikes took out clusters of enclaves used as hideouts by the kingpin and his cohorts at the location. “It was a successful strike as few survivors were observed fleeing the scene of the strike. There is no confirmation if Mai Solar was among the terrorists eliminated,” he said.

Matawalle Condoles With Zamfara Communities Over Bandits’ Attacks

Matawalle Condoles With Maru, Kaura Namoda Over Zamfara Bandits' Attacks

The former Governor of Zamfara state, Dr. Bello Muhammad, Matawalle Maradun, has condoled with the people of Maru and Kaura Namoda local government area of Zamfara State, over the recent bandits’ attacks. Matallela said he received with shock, the news of recent attacks of marauding bandits in their numbers, killing innocent people and abducted several others, and left many with various degree of injuries. The former governor said he was saddened by the news of the attacks and called on the people of various communities in the state to report any suspicious movements of the bandits to security agencies. This is contained in a statement by the media coordinating office of the former governor, signed by the Coordinator, Ibrahim Dosara. It said “on behalf of myself, my family and political gladiators, I would like to extend my deep sympathy and condolences to Maru and Kaura Namoda Emirates; local government councils and indeed, the Zamfara State Government over these ugly attacks, killings and kidnapping of innocent lives across the two local government areas.  “I must say we are utterly shocked and dismayed at the terrible human loss incurred and the excruciating pain that ensues. May Almighty Allah ease your pain and grant you patience. “We are all terribly sorry to witness the mindless acts of banditry in the two local government areas and other parts of the state, resulting in so much death and destruction. No words are enough to condemn such acts.  “Let me hope that the state government and the detachment of troops the Bola Ahmed Tinubu government deployed to the state, along with other security operatives will work together, assert themselves, and ensure that such callous and barbaric attacks, killings and kidnappings are stopped in all parts of the state.  “We share the grief of our countrymen and offer our sympathies. “I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and other victims of the attacks.  “My thoughts and prayers go out to the relatives of those who were killed in the latest waves of the tragic attacks.  “I write to you on behalf of my family and political associates to express our shock, horror and profound distress at the appalling events and tragic loss of life in the two local government areas and beyond.  “What happened was a dreadful blow to us all and to the civilized values which we share and cherish. “I am deeply shocked and filled with grief over the terrible atrocity and losses brought on to your respective communities and people. “The unbelievable disregard to our community values, of human life and dignity, that exhibited in the ferocious plans behind these acts comes as a horrifying awareness to all of us, a threat to humanity and humankind.  “All of us have been impressed by the courage and dedication of our security operatives and rescue workers, and for the dignity and resilience which lies behind the commitment and determination of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government, to prevail against such monstrous evil. “We, who value democracy and freedom, stand shoulder to shoulder with the the government of Zamfara state at this time.” “As the son of the soil and the minister of state, Defence, I would like to reassure you of my commitment and resilience to implement the far-reaching decisions and policies of the Tinubu administration to defeat these monsters and to bring back the lost glory of our dear state in particular and the country in general.”

Again, Rampaging Armed Bandits Kill 3, Abduct Others In Benue

Terrorists Kill 14, Injure 17 In Fresh Katsina Attack

Once again, a group of armed assailants, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, has carried out a violent attack in Benue State, resulting in the tragic loss of three lives and the abduction of several others. The incident occurred as innocent victims were en route from Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, to Otukpo, the headquarters of Benue Zone C senatorial district. The attack took place in Tyolaha, a village situated within the Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State. According to Agbo Daniel Adakole, a youth leader who provided insight into the incident to NIGERIAN ANCHOR, the attackers were heavily armed and indiscriminately fired their weapons, resulting in the loss of three lives and numerous injuries. Additionally, there are reports of individuals still missing. Adakole further disclosed that the perpetrators of this heinous act were armed Fulani herders. The victims primarily consisted of local residents who were traveling on the Benue Links Bus service along the Makurdi-Naka-Otukpo route. At the time of filing this report, it remains unconfirmed whether the incident has been reported to the Benue State command of the Nigerian Police or if any law enforcement agencies have been alerted for assistance. These armed bandits have been a persistent threat, targeting and harming both farmers and travelers in the border areas between the Idoma and Tiv-speaking regions of Benue State. Notably, just two weeks ago, on October 2nd, a gruesome armed attack occurred in the village of Agagbe, close to Tse-Awuna in Gwer LGA, resulting in the loss of three lives.

Bandits Abduct Federal University Gusau Students

Zamfara Students’ Abduction: FG Not Negotiating With Terrorists –Minister

Once again, an unspecified number of students from the Federal University of Gusau were abducted in the early hours of Friday. This incident occurred when armed bandits in large numbers invaded the Sabon-Gida community in the Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State. A resident of Sabon-Gida, Nazeer Sabon-Gida, recounted the terrifying events, stating that the gunmen struck the community at around 3 am, opening fire indiscriminately. “They entered the town around 3 am and started shooting indiscriminately,” he said. “We have yet to confirm the number of students kidnapped because the bandits entered three hostels and kidnapped all the students there. It is difficult to ascertain their numbers now.” Reports monitored by NIGERIAN ANCHOR on Channels Television suggest that the bandits engaged in a fierce gun battle with troops of the Nigerian Army. However, despite the confrontation, the bandits managed to escape with the kidnapped victims. “They were seriously engaged with the army troops, but the way these bandits operate, they will divide themselves into two groups. One group will move with the kidnapped victims, while the other will stay behind to protect the first group,” Sabon-Gida explained. “The first group had left with the students while the second group engaged the army in a gun duel.” It’s worth noting that back in June, some students from the same university protested against the increasing incidents of abductions involving their fellow schoolmates in Sabon-Gida and Damba. Sabon-Gida village is situated opposite the main campus of the Federal University of Gusau, approximately 20 km from the state capital, Gusau.