Kaduna residents observed unusual movement of fighter jet across the sky within the capital, and it is now confirmed by the State government on Friday, that the air component of Operation Thunder Strike, had conducted a series of aerial missions across several locations in the state.
Samuel Aruwan, the commissioner for internal security and home affairs, said in a statement that many armed bandits were neutralised as several of their camps were destroyed during the operation.
Aruwan said the air operations which included air interdiction, armed reconnaissance and patrols would be sustained over the coming days over Kaduna metropolis and other areas in the state.
Aruwan said major highways including the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari, Kaduna-Abuja, Kaduna-Zaria, Kaduna-Kachia and Kaduna-Afaka roads would also be covered.
The statement said according to operational feedbacks from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to the state government, armed reconnaissance 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 bandits were seen fleeing part of Kusasu in Chikun LGA on motorcycles as they were trailed by the crew and subsequently neutralised.
The statement added:”Following this, armed reconnaissance was conducted along the Kaduna-Abuja expressway, Olam Farms, Rugu, Akilbu, Polewire Rijana, Katari, Jere and adjoining settlements. Normal human activities and free flow of traffic were observed along the highway and rail line. All locations scanned were reported calm with no threats observed.
“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 was subsequently confirmed that some bandits were indeed taken out and the camp set ablaze and destroyed”
The statement noted that 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.
“Thereafter, a show-of-force was carried out by the aircraft over the Birnin Gwari general area, Kaduna metropolis and Zaria. Normal human activities were observed along the expressways and rail lines.
“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 line. Normal activities were reported within the metropolis as citizens observed the Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations without incident”
“Afterwards, a show-of-force was conducted over Gwagwada, Gadani, Chikun, Kusasu, Iburu, Zamba, Shiroro, Kuta, Kwatayi and Erena, spanning Chikun, Kachia and Kajuru LGAs. All locations covered were reported calm with no threats observed.
The statement said receiving the feedback, Governor Nasir el-Rufai commended the crews for the successful missions, and thanked them for their proactive operations.