The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, in Niger State has dealt a major blow to armed bandits in Mariga Local Government Area, neutralising several of them in an airstrike.
It was gathered that the incident occurred between 4 pm and 5 pm last Sunday.
Although there has been no official comment from the NAF on the development, the precision strike was said to have targeted the bandits as they moved through Yabawa, Bazana, Awallah, Dankolo, and Kumbashi, transporting cattle stolen from Ragada and surrounding villages and heading towards Kakihum.
It was further gathered that the operation was supported by aerial bombardment coordinated with ground troops, which neutralised several bandits and forced others to flee in different directions.
DAILY POST learnt that ground troops from Rijau, Warari, and Gulbin Boka supported the operation by sealing off escape routes and preventing reprisal attacks on nearby communities.
A resident of Ragada, Usman Saidu, who was previously abducted by the bandits and taken towards Dankolo, recounted his narrow escape from their clutches.
According to him, “When the jet began bombing, God saved me, that was how I escaped from their hands.”
Eyewitnesses from the area claimed they heard multiple explosions, followed by thick plumes of smoke and sporadic gunfire as the bandits dispersed.
Local residents commended the Nigerian Air Force, describing its effort as the most effective military response in the area amid the recent surge in violence across Mariga and its environs.
DAILY POST further learnt that intelligence gathered over the past week revealed that at least seven heavily armed groups were operating across the Mariga, Rijau, and Magama local government areas, which prompted NAF’s decision to launch the airstrikes.
