Police air wing kills nine bandits, destroys camps in Katsina, Zamfara

The Nigeria Police Air Wing has killed nine suspected bandits and destroyed several criminal camps during sustained aerial operations in Katsina and Zamfara states.

Seven of the suspects were reportedly associates of notorious bandit leader Ado Aleru and were eliminated during operations around Karaduwa, Matazu, Dutsin-Ma, Dan Musa and Yankuzo in Katsina State.

The operations involved aerial surveillance, reconnaissance, troop insertion, air support and targeted interdiction missions aimed at disrupting bandit activities across the affected areas.

In Zamfara, two senior associates of another wanted bandit leader, Kachalla Abdullahi Na Sanda, were reportedly killed during an operation around the Jangebe axis.

The police said the aerial strikes also destroyed several bandit camps and led to the recovery of weapons and other military equipment.

Recovered items included three PKM machine guns, three AK-47 rifles, 20 magazines, ammunition and a rocket launcher with warheads.

According to the Force, the joint air and ground operations have disrupted the criminals’ communication and logistics networks while supporting ground troops and facilitating the rescue of kidnapped victims.

The police said the operations would continue across the affected areas to prevent the bandits from regrouping, rebuilding their camps and launching further attacks on communities.