The Nigerian Army says troops of the Joint Task Force Northwest, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have neutralized several terrorists and disrupted attempted bandit movements during intelligence-led air operations in parts of Niger and Kaduna states.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Army disclosed that the operations carried out by the Air Component on June 29, dealt a major blow to terrorists and armed bandits by targeting their movements within the Joint Operations Area.
According to the statement, the operation in the Dogon Dawa axis of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State followed credible intelligence, corroborated by human intelligence sources, indicating the convergence of more than 200 suspected terrorists on motorcycles.
The Army said aerial surveillance confirmed the presence of armed terrorists moving in groups before a large concentration of motorcycles was identified at a suspected refuelling point.
It said: “Acting on credible intelligence, corroborated by human intelligence sources, indicating the convergence of over 200 suspected terrorists on motorcycles in the Dogon Dawa axis of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, the Air Component executed a precision airstrike against the terrorists.”
According to the statement: “Battle Damage Assessment confirmed that several terrorists were neutralized, while others were observed fleeing with injuries towards the Kurugin Maidawa axis.”
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The Army said the successful strike significantly disrupted the terrorists’ activities, degraded their operational capability and denied them the freedom to regroup for further attacks.
The statement added that in a separate Armed Reconnaissance mission in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, the Air Component acted on intelligence that armed bandits were mobilizing to launch reprisal attacks against troops following recent clearance operations in the Womba general area.
It said the Air Component intercepted three motorcycles conveying suspected bandits moving towards the Kamuku Forest after the suspects attempted to evade detection upon sighting the aircraft, successfully disrupting their movement.
The Army added that follow-up reconnaissance conducted in close coordination with ground troops revealed no further suspicious activity across the area.
It said the successful operations underscored the effectiveness of the Joint Task Force’s integrated air and ground operations in sustaining pressure on terrorist and bandit networks across the North-West.
The statement added: “The Theatre Commander commends the professionalism and synergy displayed by the Air and Land Components and reassures the public that Operation FANSAN YAMMA will continue to sustain offensive operations until all terrorist and bandit enclaves are dismantled and lasting peace and security are restored across the theatre.”
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