The Air component of Operation Thunder Strike has reportedly killed several armed bandits in Chikwale Forest, Mangoro area of Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna State.
This was disclosed by the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, in a statement on Sunday.
He said the operation was carried out following reliable information from residents who disclosed the presence of bandits in the area.
Enenche said, ”Accordingly, after series of confirmatory aerial surveillance missions, the Air Component dispatched an appropriate force package of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets and helicopter gunships to attack the location.
”Overhead the target area, the NAF Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft spotted scores of bandits, mounted on motorcycles and dressed in black attire, heading towards Niger State.
“The attack aircraft, therefore, took turns in engaging the bandits, who were seen firing at the attack helicopter as it strafed them.”
The Major General added that many bandits were killed while some escaped with various degrees of injuries. He further said a collaboration between the aerial surveillance missions with ground troops were ongoing in order to locate the fleeing bandits.
