The Nigerian Army has announced that troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, successfully neutralised several terrorists and disrupted planned bandit movements during intelligence-driven air operations conducted in parts of Niger and Kaduna states.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Army said the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA carried out the operations on June 29, delivering a significant setback to terrorist and bandit groups by targeting their movements within the Joint Operations Area.
According to the statement, one of the operations was conducted in the Dogon Dawa axis of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, following credible intelligence, supported by human intelligence sources, indicating that more than 200 suspected terrorists had assembled on motorcycles.
The Army said aerial surveillance later confirmed the presence of the armed terrorists moving in groups before identifying a large concentration of motorcycles at what was believed to be a refuelling point.
“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,” the statement said.
The military disclosed that a post-strike Battle Damage Assessment confirmed that several terrorists were killed, while others fled with gunshot and blast injuries towards the Kurugin Maidawa axis.
According to the Army, the operation significantly disrupted the terrorists’ activities, weakened their operational capacity and prevented them from regrouping to carry out further attacks.
In a separate operation, the Air Component conducted an Armed Reconnaissance mission in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State after receiving intelligence that armed bandits were mobilising to launch reprisal attacks against troops following recent clearance operations in the Womba general area.
The statement explained that military aircraft intercepted three motorcycles carrying suspected bandits heading towards the Kamuku Forest. The suspects reportedly attempted to evade detection after sighting the aircraft, but their movement was successfully disrupted.
The Army added that follow-up reconnaissance missions, carried out in close collaboration with ground troops, found no further suspicious activities in the area.
It stated that the successful operations demonstrate the effectiveness of the coordinated air and ground strategy adopted by the Joint Task Force in maintaining sustained pressure on terrorist and bandit groups operating across the North-West.
Commending the troops, the Theatre Commander praised the professionalism and cooperation between the Air and Land Components of Operation FANSAN YAMMA.
He reassured Nigerians that the operation would continue its offensive against terrorist and bandit hideouts until all criminal enclaves are dismantled and lasting peace and security are restored across the region.
ADEOLA KUNLE
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