The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has neutralised fleeing bandits in Kaduna state after they attacked Sabon Layi village in Birnin Gwari local government area on Wednesday. Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, confirmed that the bandits were shooting, rustling cattle, looting properties, and committing other heinous crimes, forcing residents to flee. The Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch was contacted and responded promptly to the location, where it engaged and neutralised the bandits in several passes, about four kilometers north of Sabon Layi village.
The Kaduna State government is awaiting a formal report on the initial attack, and Governor Nasir El-Rufai has praised the Air Component for its quick response and conveyed his gratitude for neutralising the fleeing bandits. The attack on Sabon Layi village is the latest in a series of banditry incidents that have ravaged the region, resulting in the death of many civilians and the displacement of thousands. The government has been working to address the situation by partnering with security agencies to provide adequate protection for the people and also implementing programmes to tackle the root causes of the crisis.
The Kaduna State government has also been advocating for a collective effort by neighbouring states and the federal government to tackle the security challenges in the region. The government has consistently called for increased intelligence gathering, surveillance, and effective collaboration among security agencies to tackle the menace of banditry and other forms of criminality in the state.
The recent NAF airstrikes on fleeing bandits is a step in the right direction, and it is hoped that such actions will deter the bandits from carrying out their nefarious activities. The government has promised to sustain its efforts towards ensuring the safety and security of the people of Kaduna state. The collaboration between the state government and security agencies, including the NAF, is expected to yield positive results and restore peace to the region.