NAF neutralises 29 bandits, rescues kidnapped victims in Katsina

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has successfully neutralised 29 bandits and freed several kidnapped victims, including the daughter of the Ruwan Godiya village head, in a significant airstrike operation.

The breakthrough occurred in the vicinity of Bakori Hills and Yartsintsiya, Kankara Local Government Area (LGA) of Katsina State.

Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Katsina State, confirmed the operation’s success, stating, “The airstrike resulted in the confirmed deaths of 8 bandits by gunshot wounds and 21 by bomb fragments.”

The operation was initiated in response to a recent attack on Kankara LGA on Sunday, June 9, 2024. It not only neutralized the bandits but also disrupted ongoing criminal activities in the region.

NAF’s collaboration with ground forces and intelligence agencies was pivotal in identifying and neutralizing these criminal elements, according to Mohammed. “The details are still emerging, but it is clear that the operation was a success and a major blow to the bandits. We commend the NAF for their bravery and professionalism in carrying out this operation,” he said.

This successful airstrike comes after a series of deadly attacks by terrorists on various villages in Kankara LGA, which resulted in the deaths of police officers and several farmers on Sunday. The NAF’s decisive action marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to restore peace and security in the region.