The air component of Operation Thunder Strike has killed several bandits during an air raid in Birnin Gwari and Chikun local government areas of Kaduna State.
The Armed reconnaissance according to the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, was conducted over Erena, Kusasu, Kuduru, Kulefe, Kusherki, and Shiroro in neighboring Niger State as well as Chikun and environs, in Chikun Local Government Area.
He said that fleeing Bandits who were seen fleeing Kaduna State part of Kusasu in Chikun LGA on motorcycles were trailed by the crew and subsequently neutralized.
A similar operation was also conducted along the Kaduna-Abuja expressway, Olam Farms, Rugu, Akilbu, Polewire Rijana, Katari, Jere, and adjoining settlements where normal human activities and free flow of traffic were observed along the highway and rail line.
Additionally, strike aircraft carried out operations over Jan Birni, Birnin Gwari local government area, which was observed to be active with bandits. The targets were attacked by the aircraft and were subsequently confirmed that some bandits were indeed taken out and the camp set ablaze and destroyed.
A second mission was flown over another identified camp in the area, which was also attacked, set ablaze, and completely destroyed by two strike aircraft.
The operations continued as aircraft conducted armed reconnaissance and show-of-force over Birnin Gwari, Kaduna metropolis, and Zaria. Free flow of traffic was similarly observed along the expressways and rail lines.
Aruwan however, says that the air operations, which include air interdiction, armed reconnaissance, and patrols are set to be sustained over the coming days over Kaduna metropolis and other areas of interest in the state.
While Major highways will also be covered, including the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari, Kaduna-Abuja, Kaduna-Zaria, Kaduna-Kachia, and Kaduna-Afaka roads.
