10 soldiers die, 213 bodies recovered in battle against bandits in Zamfara
No fewer than 213 bodies, comprising terrorists and their collaborators have been recovered days after intense exchanges of gunfire between Nigerian troops and terrorists in some Zamfara communities.
The military lost 10 personnel while some civilians were killed when bandits fled toward the communities.
It was reported that the ground troops of Operation Hadarin Daji and its air component recorded a major victory after eliminating terrorists in Malele village in Dansadau Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Aircraft from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and ground troops of the Nigerian Army, sustained a well-coordinated joint operation since last Saturday.
Terrorist activities in the area have been exacerbated due to the lingering crisis between Hausa and Fulani over alleged destruction of farm produce by cattle, thereby making the area very volatile, especially in Malele, Maigoge, Yan Sawayu, Ruwan Tofa, Mai Awaki, and Zama Lafiya, all under Mutunji district of Dansadau Emirate Council.
A defence intelligence operative had disclosed how the security services mobilized their troops in launching a series of attacks and airstrikes against those warring bandits coming from different parts of the country.
“Both the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Air Force (NAF) operations are yielding fantastic results in the area with several terrorists being eliminated as the battle is still on.
“Bandits who were fleeing from NAF airstrikes ran into a small village called Mutunji to take refuge. After ensuring that civilian lives in the village were not at risk, the NAF aircraft undertook a precision strike at the exact location while the ground troops cleared the fleeing bandits in their escape bids,” the operative had said.
But in an update on Tuesday, credible sources in the community said that 10 soldiers have been killed in the operation.
“At least we counted 213 bodies of the terrorists and their collaborators. Some civilians too were killed in what the military called ‘collateral damage’ when fleeing bandits hid in the communities.
“The attack on troops occurred when the troops with the support of local vigilantes were navigating the terrains for counter-attacks,” the source said.
In his condolence message, Governor Bello Matawalle, through his Special Adviser on Public Enlightenment, Media and Communications, Zailani Bappa, expressed his heartfelt sympathy to the families of victims earlier caught in military fire against the marauding bandits.
“I wish to, on behalf of myself, my family, the state government and the entire good people of Zamfara State, extend my sincere sympathy to those who were injured and the families of those who died as a result of this collateral damage,” the governor said.
Source: PRNigeria
