The Nigerian Army has announced that troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, successfully neutralised several terrorists and disrupted planned bandit operations during coordinated air missions conducted in Niger and Kaduna states.
The Army disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, explaining that the Air Component of the operation carried out intelligence-driven strikes on June 29 against suspected terrorist and bandit movements within the Joint Operations Area.
According to the statement, one of the operations was conducted in the Dogon Dawa axis of Shiroro Local Government Area in Niger State after security agencies received credible intelligence, supported by human intelligence, indicating that more than 200 suspected terrorists had assembled on motorcycles.
The Army said aerial surveillance later confirmed the movement of armed terrorists travelling in groups before identifying a large cluster of motorcycles at what was believed to be a refuelling location.
“Acting on credible intelligence, corroborated by human intelligence sources, indicating the convergence of over 200 suspected terrorists on motorcycles in the Dogon Dawa axis of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, the Air Component executed a precision airstrike against the terrorists,” the statement said.
Following the operation, the Army reported that several terrorists were killed while others escaped with gunshot injuries.
“Battle Damage Assessment confirmed that several terrorists were neutralised, while others were observed fleeing with injuries towards the Kurugin Maidawa axis,” it added.
The military noted that the successful strike disrupted the terrorists’ activities, weakened their operational capability and prevented them from regrouping to launch further attacks.
In another operation carried out during an Armed Reconnaissance mission in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, the Air Component acted on intelligence reports that armed bandits were preparing retaliatory attacks against troops after recent military clearance operations around Womba.
The statement explained that the aircraft intercepted three motorcycles transporting suspected bandits heading towards the Kamuku Forest after the suspects attempted to evade surveillance upon sighting the military aircraft.
According to the Army, the operation successfully halted the movement of the suspected criminals before they could execute their mission.
It further disclosed that subsequent reconnaissance missions conducted alongside ground troops found no additional suspicious activities within the operational area.
The Army stated that the latest operations highlight the effectiveness of the coordinated air and ground strategy being deployed under Operation FANSAN YAMMA to combat terrorism and banditry across the North-West.
Commending the personnel involved, the Theatre Commander praised the cooperation between the Air and Land Components and reaffirmed the military’s commitment to sustaining offensive operations.
“The Theatre Commander commends the professionalism and synergy displayed by the Air and Land Components and reassures the public that Operation FANSAN YAMMA will continue to sustain offensive operations until all terrorist and bandit enclaves are dismantled and lasting peace and security are restored across the theatre,” the statement added.
