President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered troops to launch airstrikes on bandits who have been terrorising communities in Niger, Kaduna and Zamfara states.

The President’s order followed assurances that the harmattan haze, which previously hampered military air operations, is gradually clearing out.

According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, the military air operation against bandits, kidnappers and cattle rustlers that have been attacking remote communities around Dogon Gona forest in Niger State will commence this week.

The President, who described the repeated attacks leading to loss of several lives in the communities “as a disaster for the nation,” had authorised the deployment of air power to support troops and policemen deployed to the “difficult terrain,” to counter the menace of the attackers operating in the forest area bordering Kaduna, Niger and Zamfara states.

In line with this directive, Nigerian Air Force is setting up refueling facilities at Minna, Niger State, to support the aircraft operations, giving assurances that given the improved weather conditions, a major exercise to “visually acquire targets” and launch attacks will soon follow.

The police command in Niger has equally given assurances that the planned dedicated air raids to complement the police helicopter gunship operations remain the best approach given the lack of passable roads in the areas constantly under attack.

Mr Buhari commiserated with the government and people of Niger State following the attacks and the loss of lives that followed, and assured that victim communities in the state will not be abandoned by the rest of the country.

The Nation