The Nigerian air force has achieved a considerable victory against criminal gangs, commonly referred to as "bandits," following a major operation in Zamfara state. The operation, announced on Monday, targeted the Makakkari forest, a known haven for these armed groups involved in high-profile kidnappings plaguing the area.
The raids were executed after aerial surveillance spotted over 400 gang members preparing an assault on a neighboring village. Militants have been increasingly aggressive over the past fortnight, with numerous violent incidents leading to the deaths of local residents and the abduction of many more. Reports indicate that at least 13 members of the security forces have also lost their lives during recent confrontations.
According to air force spokesperson Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the military operation combined both aerial strikes and on-ground attacks, resulting in the death of several notorious gang leaders and a large number of their associates. Additionally, ground troops successfully intercepted and eliminated others attempting to escape the region.
The alarming rise of kidnapping-for-ransom operations has drawn attention to the motivations driving these criminal activities, as bandits increasingly collaborate with jihadist factions involved in a prolonged insurgency in northeastern Nigeria.
Despite various military offensives in recent years aimed at dismantling the networks of these gangs, violence continues to escalate, undermining efforts to restore order in the region. The military's ongoing campaigns have reportedly led to the deaths of at least 95 gang members last month alone, with no signs of abating conflict.
As Nigeria grapples with widespread insecurity, officials face the pressing challenge of addressing the root causes of violence and restoring safety for the communities affected by these bandit operations.
The raids were executed after aerial surveillance spotted over 400 gang members preparing an assault on a neighboring village. Militants have been increasingly aggressive over the past fortnight, with numerous violent incidents leading to the deaths of local residents and the abduction of many more. Reports indicate that at least 13 members of the security forces have also lost their lives during recent confrontations.
According to air force spokesperson Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the military operation combined both aerial strikes and on-ground attacks, resulting in the death of several notorious gang leaders and a large number of their associates. Additionally, ground troops successfully intercepted and eliminated others attempting to escape the region.
The alarming rise of kidnapping-for-ransom operations has drawn attention to the motivations driving these criminal activities, as bandits increasingly collaborate with jihadist factions involved in a prolonged insurgency in northeastern Nigeria.
Despite various military offensives in recent years aimed at dismantling the networks of these gangs, violence continues to escalate, undermining efforts to restore order in the region. The military's ongoing campaigns have reportedly led to the deaths of at least 95 gang members last month alone, with no signs of abating conflict.
As Nigeria grapples with widespread insecurity, officials face the pressing challenge of addressing the root causes of violence and restoring safety for the communities affected by these bandit operations.
