The Nigeria Police Force Air Wing has eliminated nine suspected bandits and destroyed several bandit camps during sustained aerial operations across parts of Katsina and Zamfara states.

Seven of the suspected bandits were identified as associates of notorious bandit kingpin, Ado Aleru, and were eliminated during one of the air operations.

The operations, according to the Force, were conducted as part of intensified efforts to disrupt bandit networks and deny criminal groups freedom of movement and operational space in the North-West.

In Katsina State, the Police Air Wing carried out surveillance, reconnaissance, troop insertion, air cover and interdiction missions around Karaduwa, Matazu, Dutsin-Ma, Dan Musa and Yankuzo.

The Force said the operations also targeted the activities and logistics of bandit groups operating across the affected communities.

Similarly, two senior lieutenants linked to another notorious bandit leader, Kachalla Abdullahi Na Sanda, were eliminated around the Jangebe axis of Zamfara State.

The police said the aerial operations also led to the recovery and destruction of several weapons and military-grade equipment used by the bandits.

Recovered items included three PKM machine guns, three AK-47 rifles, 20 magazines, assorted ammunition and a rocket launcher with warheads.

The Force said the coordinated air and ground operations had significantly disrupted bandit camps, communication channels and logistics networks in the affected areas.

“The operations have also supported ground forces and facilitated the rescue of captives held by criminal elements,” the Force stated.

The Police Air Wing has continued to provide aerial surveillance, intelligence and air support to ground troops as part of ongoing operations aimed at degrading criminal networks across the North-West.

The Force assured that the aerial operations would be sustained to prevent the regrouping of bandits and further protect communities from attacks and criminal activities.