Nigerian military airstrikes kill 20 suspected bandits in anti-terror raid

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Abuja, Nigeria | Xinhua

At least 20 suspected armed bandits were killed in anti-terror airstrikes by the Nigerian military in the northern state of Zamfara over the weekend, an official said Monday.

Ehimen Ejodame, the spokesman for the Nigerian Air Force, said in a statement sent to Xinhua in Abuja, the nation's capital, that more than 21 motorcycles belonging to the suspected bandits were destroyed during the airstrikes in the Maru local government area on Saturday.

The operation was aimed at "halting a planned large-scale attack on vulnerable communities by armed bandits," the statement said, noting that intelligence received by the military indicated that a significant number of criminals were massing and preparing to strike unsuspecting settlements.

Further intelligence showed that the bandits had killed some farmers and abducted an unknown number of civilians, including women and children, according to the statement.

This prompted a precision engagement by the military that led to the destruction of motorcycles and the killing of the suspected bandits, said the statement, noting ground forces were immediately mobilised to exploit the situation. "They confirmed the destruction of enemy assets and the neutralisation of over 20 bandits."

Efforts are underway to track and rescue the kidnapped villagers who were taken into the adjoining forest, the military statement added.