Photo: NAF fighter jets
No fewer than 70 bandits have been killed in their camp in Niger State by the Nigerian Air Force following the firing of rockets at their camps,
The sustained operations by the air and ground components of Operation Gama Aiki, OPGA, which commenced since August 5, continues to yield tangible results as dozens of terrorists were killed in recent operations in their hideouts.
The operation was sequel to credible intelligence on the location of the bandits’ camps at Jasuwan Garba-Urege axis in Niger State, which had prompted the air component of OPGA to conduct intensive air interdiction of the identified camps using a formation of Agusta 109 and EC 135 helicopter gunships to effectively decimate the camps.
A senior military officer involved in the operation said the aircraft formation took turns in engaging the locations with rockets while fleeing bandits after the rocket strikes were mopped up with cannons.
“The camps were seen engulfed in flames after the strikes. Reports from locals disclosed that about 70 bandits including their logistics bases were destroyed,” the officer said.