By Linus Aleke, with agency reports
No fewer than 40 terrorists moving to a location in a convoy of motorcycles were killed by multiple military air strikes at Mutunji Village in Dansadau Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

A top military source told ThisNigeria that the successful airstrikes that eliminated motorcycle-riding terrorists were carried out by the air component, at Mutunji village.

The source also disclosed, that terrorist activities in the area have over time been exacerbated by the lingering crisis between Hausas and Fulanis over forceful harvest and use of farm produce by terrorists, in Malele, Maigoge, Yan Sawayu, Ruwan Tofa, Mai Awaki, and Zama Lafiya, all under Mutunji district of Dansadau Emirate Council.

ThisNigeria gathered that the security agencies, with particular reference to the military and the air force, have since Saturday 17 December 2022, mobilised their troops and airplanes to launch attacks and airstrikes against those waring bandits coming from different parts of the country.

Another source close to the theatre of operation confirmed that both Nigerian Army and Nigerian Air Force (NAF) operations were yielding fantastic results in the area with several terrorists being killed in their number.

The source said, “So far a large number of them have been killed and the battle is still on. Terrorists who were fleeing from NAF airstrikes ran into a small village called Mutunji to take refuge. After ensuring that civilians’ lives in the village were not at risk, the NAF aircraft undertook a precision strike at the exact location. The intent of the strike was no doubt achieved as it killed over 40 of the terrorists who were holed up in a building in the village”.

He, however, regretted that few civilians were injured with no life-threatening injuries.

He also, revealed that the injured civilians are currently receiving medical attention and treatment at Dansadau General Hospital.

“I am very happy that though few villagers were injured, almost all the bandits pursued were summarily killed.

“Honestly, we must thank the Nigerian Air Force and the Military for their renewed commitment to ensuring that our villages are free of these criminals. I am particularly impressed with their quick and immediate response and intervention whenever called upon.

“I will implore the Federal Government to continue to equip the military with more ammunition capable enough to destroy and kill the large number of bandits that we are seeing coming from different places,” he further said.

Meanwhile, there are fresh reports that the terrorists, obviously reeling from their devastating loss after the air strike attempted an attack on a military convoy on their way to Malele.

He revealed that one soldier sustained an injury during the ambush attack but he is positively responding to treatment.

Another insider source, also, confirmed to our correspondent that terrorist kingpins; Halilu Jan Buzu Turji and Adamu Aleiru are making efforts to reinforce their terrorist colleagues on the battlefield after the devastating air strike.

Halilu Buzu’s boys, in particular, he said, were sighted along Dankurmi on their way to Malele, while those of Adamu Aleiru were seen at Yar Gada, a border between Dansadau and Gusau Emirates, waiting for sunrise to move to the battleground.

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*Bandits murder 37 villagers in Kaduna as police neutralise 12 insurgents in Bauchi

Meanwhile, the military spokespersons could not be reached for confirmation at the time of filing this report.

More so, no fewer than 37 people have been reportedly killed by bandits during fresh attacks in the Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State even as police neutralised 12 bandits in Bauchi in a separate operation.

The attacks took place separately on Sunday night at Malagum 1 and Sokwong communities of Kagoro Chiefdom in the Kaura Local Government Area of the state.

Although the police authorities are yet to confirm the incident, the Speaker of Kaura Local Government Legislative Council, Chairman of Kauru Local Government Area, Hon Atuk Stephen, told Channels Television that the bandits carried out the coordinated attacks at about 11 pm on Sunday where they killed 37 people.

He also said that the bandits burnt down over 100 houses and destroyed many vehicles and motorcycles during the attack.

According to him, all houses in the Sokwong community were completely razed down by the bandits while the entire area has been deserted.

But it was a different scenario in Bauchi where the Police Command claimed that it had neutralised 12 suspected kidnappers and bandits during a raid in Alkaleri Local Government Area of the state.

This is contained in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Ahmad Wakil, on Monday in Bauchi.

He said the Police also recovered weapons and motorcycles from the bandits.

Wakil said that a joint operation of security operatives engaged the suspects in four hideouts at Mansur, Digare, Gwana, and Dajin Madam in Alkaleri Forest.

“Following the hot exchange of superior fire-power by the operatives which left 12 of the kidnappers neutralised while others subdued, dislodged, and scampered in disarray into the nearby bushes with possible gunshot wounds and abandoned their camps.

“Consequently, weapons and operational motorcycles had been recovered during the operation,” he said.

He said the Command had intensified patrols to apprehend the fleeing members of the syndicate.