The Nigerian military’s achievements in the state’s reinvigorated campaign against bandits have been praised by the Zamfara State Government.
The relatives of those impacted by the airstrike at Tungar Kara in Zurmi LGA also received condolences from the government.
The Nigerian Air Force successfully targeted bandits targeting villages in Zurmi and Maradun local government areas over the weekend, according to a statement released by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, on Sunday.
The families of the civilians killed in the airstrike at Tungar Kara in Zurmi LGA have received sincere condolences from the government.
According to the statement, the civilian victims were local vigilante members who were mistakenly thought to be bandits escaping from Gidan Makera in Zurmi LGA’s Boko region.
The statement read, “We have received multiple positive reports of precision strikes carried out by the Air Component of Operation Fansar Yamma over the weekend in troubled Maradun and Zurmi local government areas.
“This intervention by the military has significantly degraded the operational capacity of the bandits and has shown the commitment of the Nigeria Air Force to carrying out its constitutional mandate of protecting civilians and safeguarding the lives and property of the people.
“As a responsible government, we assure all the people of the State that the Government of Zamfara State remains steadfast in its resolve to sustain the gains made in the fight against banditry and related criminalities.
According to the statement, the recent achievement showed that the state and federal security agencies’ joint efforts were paying off.
“In light of these achievements, the state government reaffirms its commitment to providing all necessary support to the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies to sustain their operations and bring lasting peace to the state.
“We will continue to offer support to enhance intelligence sharing, provide logistics, and strengthen community engagement, all in the spirit of a comprehensive approach to security and achieving the ultimate goal of restoring normalcy across all parts of the state.
“Regrettably, some members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) and local vigilantes were also affected during the operation in Tungar Kara, resulting in the loss of lives.
“We pray to Almighty Allah to grant them Jannah,” it added.
The families of the fallen JTF members received condolences from the state administration, which also promised them that their efforts would not be in vain.
“The government will provide necessary support and assistance to the bereaved families.
“Finally, the government calls on people to be vigilant, report all suspicious activities, and cooperate fully with security personnel. Through collective effort and unity of purpose, the fight against banditry can be won, bringing enduring peace and stability to Zamfara State,” it said.