Scores killed as NAF Jets raid terrorists’ camps in Niger

 

. FG making frantic efforts to tackle security challenges- Omo-Agege

 

The Air Component of Operation Gama Aiki (OPGA) has eliminated scores of terrorists in Niger State, North-central Nigeria.

Some civilians abducted by the terrorists and held hostage in makeshift structures also quickly escaped during the military bombardments.

PRNigeria gathered that a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) attack jet killed the criminal elements during air interdictions raid at terrorists’ camps in Kusarsu, a community along Abuja-Kaduna highway.

According to a military intelligence officer who was involved in the operation, credible intelligence had revealed the presence of suspected bandits’ hideout and logistics base at Kusarsu, while the movement of some bandits from Kusarsu towards Kaduna-Abuja Road was also observed, earlier in the week.

The source told PRNigeria that a large number of terrorists were also gathered at settlements in Gaude and Dutse Magaji.

“Subsequently, Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft under OPGA were scrambled in the early hours of 26 November 2021 to take out the targets.

“Overhead Kusarsu, the NAF combat crew sighted several armed bandits gathered at the locations and subsequently launched a coordinated strike after which the location was seen engulfed in flames.

“The aftermath of the strike also revealed remnants of surviving bandits fleeing the location. It was also observed that about 50 Metres from the target location, several persons suspected to be kidnapped victims were observed escaping out of a makeshift structure and fleeing to nearby civilian settlements

 

“Similar strikes by NAF platforms at bandits’ locations in Gaude and Dutse Magaji had the same effects as remnants of the bandits were observed to be scampering from the location.

“Feedback from locals as well as own deployment around Kusarsu revealed that at 67 corpses of bandits have been counted during assessments the destroyed logistics bases destroyed of the terrorists

 

Other sources told PRNigeria that persons seen escaping from a makeshift structure were indeed kidnapped victims who took advantage of the airstrikes on the bandits’ location to escape.

The bandits operating along Kusarsu axis orchestrated the attack on a train along the Kaduna-Abuja rail track on 20 October 2021.

There is also a strong indication that several bandits may have been neutralized at Gaude and Dutsin Magaji after the airstrike. Of recent, these sustained attacks by NAF aircraft in conjunction with ground troops as well as other security agencies have continued to yield the expected outcome.

 

Only last week, precisely on 20 November 2021, NAF aircraft under Operation Hadarin Daji struck bandits’ location at Dankandi and Tsakai area of Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

 

The strikes were believed to have led to the deaths of key bandits and their cohorts, thus enhancing the security of the locations and citizenry.

 

Meanwhile, The Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, has appealed to Nigerians to be patient, saying the Federal Government is making frantic efforts to tackle security challenges in the country.

Omo-Agege (Delta Central-APC) made the appeal on Monday at the 90th Anniversary of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) Worldwide.

The event was held at the UPU’s Secretariat in Uvwiamughe Community, Agbarho, Ughelli North Local Government area of Delta.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that UPU, which is the apex Urhobo socio-cultural body, was established on Nov. 3, 1931.

Omo-Agege, who delivered a lecture entitled: “Challenges and Prospects of Urhobo Progress Union in Contemporary Time”, stressed the need for peaceful coexistence between the farmers and the herders.

“I plead with our people that the current heated temperature in the Nigeria polity is commonplace in a developing society.

“I urged our people to be patient as the government continues to grapple with this problem,” he said.

The senator called for unity among the Urhobo people, noting that the consequences of disunity were dreadful.

He said Urhobo, being the fifth largest ethnic nationality in the country, has great numerical strength, adding that they had not been able to utilise this politically.

“The loss of political power as a consequence of lack of unity among the Urhobo has clearly made the empowerment of our people and development of UrhoboLand difficult.

“Let me be clear and emphatic, we are better and stronger together. The consequences of lack of unity are dreadful. Urhobo is created for greatness,” he said.

Omo-Agege, who frowned at the poor quality of education in the country, said that the Federal Polytechnic, Orogun in Ughelli North Local Government area, would begin academic activities in September 2022.

He urged the Urhobo sons and daughters, particularly the youth to play their parts in the quest for the socioeconomic and political advancement of the Urhoboland.

Also, the Speaker, Delta House of Assembly, Mr Sheriff Oborevwori, said that UPU, being Nigeria’s foremost sociocultural organisation, at 90th called for celebration.

Oborevwori, represented by Mr Solomon Ighrakpata, a member representing Uvwie Constituency at the Delta House of Assembly, said that UPU was a strong voice to address issues bordering on Urhobo nation.

He called for sustained unity and cohesion among the people of Urhobo.

Earlier, the President-General of UPU, Mr Moses Taiga, said that the organisation started as Urhobo Brotherly Society in 1931.

Taiga called for unity and continuity of purpose among the people.

In attendance were sons and daughters of Urhobo within and in the Diaspora, including the traditional rulers.