The Nigeria Police Air Wing has eliminated nine suspected bandits linked to notorious criminal groups during sustained aerial operations across Katsina and Zamfara states.
According to a statement by the Nigeria Police Force, seven suspected associates of notorious bandit kingpin, Ado Aleru, were eliminated during one of the operations, while two senior lieutenants linked to another bandit leader, Kachalla Abdullahi Na Sanda, were also killed around the Jangebe axis of Zamfara State.
The operations were conducted as part of intensified efforts to disrupt bandit networks operating across the two states.
The Police Air Wing carried out surveillance, reconnaissance, troop insertion, air cover and interdiction missions around Karaduwa, Matazu, Dutsin-Ma, Dan Musa and Yankuzo in Katsina State.
The Force said several weapons and military equipment were recovered and destroyed during the operations. They included three PKM machine guns, three AK-47 rifles, 20 magazines, assorted ammunition and a rocket launcher with warheads.
The Police said the coordinated air and ground operations had significantly disrupted bandit camps, communication channels and logistics networks, while also providing support to ground troops and facilitating the rescue of kidnapped victims.
The Force added that aerial operations would continue to prevent the regrouping of bandits and further degrade their operational capabilities in affected communities.
