Key Armed Bandits Leader, Twin Brother Killed, as Military Destroys Their Two Camps in Zamfara.

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja.

 The Armed Forces of Nigeria has disclosed that it Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji under the subsidiary Operation Watun Daji have killed a key armed bandits leader, his twin brother, while their two camps and cave hideout of members were also destroyed in Doumborou Forest, Zamfara State. 

In a statement signed by the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, DHQ, Maj. Gen. John Enenche on Thursday in Abuja.

The Defence headquarters said, the air strikes, which also resulted in the neutralization of several of their fighters, were executed on 23 June 2020, after series of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions led to the identification of the camps and a cave where the bandits store their weapons as well as hide to evade attacks. 

According to him, the Air Component dispatched an enhanced force package of fighter jets and helicopter gunships to attack the location. 

He said that, at the first camp, some bandits, who had assembled for a meeting near one of the huts, were neutralized by the attack aircraft. 

While at the second camp, a suspected high-value bandits’ leader along with some weapon-bearing fighters were seen in the vicinity of some huts.

He said "The attack aircraft engaged the target structures, scoring accurate hits and taking out the huts along with their occupants.

"The NAF jets also later recorded direct hits on the suspected bunker, from where some of the bandits were seen emerging, completely destroying it. 

"Human Intelligence reports later confirmed that Hassan Tagwaye, leader of the bandits and his twin brother Hussain along with several other bandits were neutralized in the air strikes, while a few escaped with injuries. 

The DMOs urged that as a matter of security concern, people in the general area are advised to report those with sudden and suspicious injuries to the security forces. 

This he said is to ensure that the escapees are mopped up. 

While commending the Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI for their professionalism.

Enenche said the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, urged them to remain resolute in the conduct of air strikes whilst continuing to provide close air support for ongoing ground operations in order to eradicate all armed bandits; thus accomplishing the directives of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to restore normalcy in the North West and North Central Zones of the Country.