VIDEO: How NAF Aircraft Eliminated Dangote Bandits in
Rocky Forest of Zamfara
Air interdiction missions being conducted by the Air Component
of Operation HADARIN DAJI have yielded more positive results with
the destruction of a new camp belonging to the armed gang headed by
the bandit leader known as “Dangote” in the Doumborou Forest area
of Zamfara State.
The air strike, which also resulted in the killing of several
armed bandits, was executed on 23 July 2020 after Human
Intelligence (HUMINT) reports as well as series of confirmatory
aerial surveillance missions established that members of the gang,
along with their logistics items, motorcycles and hundreds of
rustled livestock, had relocated from their erstwhile position to
new area by a rocky high ground within the Forest.
The Air Component therefore dispatched an enhanced force package
of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets and helicopter gunships to
attack the location.
The attack aircraft engaged the target area scoring accurate
hits and taking out some of the bandits. Many others, who were seen
trying to flee the location in disarray, were mopped-up in
follow-on attacks.
While commending the Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI for
their professionalism, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air
Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has 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.
JOHN ENENCHE
Major General
Coordinator
Defence Media Operations
Defence Headquarters
25 July 2020