An air strike by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has eliminated a kidnapping syndicate in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna state.
A statement sent to journalists by NAF spokesman, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet and seen by Politics Nigeria, indicates that the criminals where riding on 15 bikes when they were neutralised.
According to the stayement, the incident occured near Kampanin Doka in the Birnin Gwari area.
The statement read: “In its relentless campaign to rid the Northwest and Northcentral region of Nigeria of the menace of terrorism and Kidnapping, the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch has eliminated a syndicate of terrorists in Kaduna State.
“The strike followed an intelligence report of the movement of the syndicate along the Kwiga-Kampamin Doka axis in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State.
“The intel also revealed that the same syndicate was responsible for the ambush on troops at Kwanan Mutuwa on 27 January 2024 as well as several attacks and abduction of innocent civilians in Birnin Gwari.
“On arrival at the suspected location, a deliberate and detailed scan revealed a trail of terrorists sighted moving in a convoy of about 15 motorcycles, each with at least 2 armed terrorists.
“Accordingly, the terrorists were trailed to a location where they converged before they were engaged and neutralized in a precision strike. The aftermath of the air strike revealed that several of the terrorists were eliminated as a result of the strike.
“The success of this particular strike has drawn the attention of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, who has commended the Component Commander but cautioned that efforts must be sustained.”
