By Joseph Edegbo:
Dozens of bandits have been reportedly neutralized during a combined ground and air assault by the Nigerian Security Forces in the Saulawa-Farin Ruwa axis of Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna State, North West of the country.
According to operational feedback made available to the Kaduna State Government from the Command of the Joint Operations, a Nigerian Air Force helicopter gunship provided close air support to ground troops advancing from the Dogon Dawa-Damari-Saulawa axis.
“Following extensive scans, bandits were spotted on five motorcycles, about 4km east of Saulawa, waiting to ambush the ground forces. They were engaged vigorously by the helicopter gunship, and were wiped out.
“After this, about 50 armed bandits on motorcycles were sighted fleeing towards Farin Ruwa, and were struck effectively by the gunship. Fleeing remnants were mopped up by ground forces.
“A second helicopter gunship joined the operations, and many more fleeing bandits were neutralized by precise strikes. Assessment revealed that more than 50 bandits were neutralized during the joint operation.
“Governor Nasir El-Rufai expressed his satisfaction at the operational feedback, and congratulated the ground troops and gunship crews on the rout. He urged them to sustain the momentum and bring even more bandits to their bitter end”, a statement by the Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan revealed.
