In Search of Terrorists, Air Force Bombards Kwaki, Chikuba Forests in Niger State

Laleye Dipo in Minna

Nigerian Air force Jets have bombed several forests  in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State on Thursday evening leaving many people in surrounding community injured and property destroyed.

Chikuba and Kwaki communities are said to be worst hit by the bombardments.

Both Chububa and Kwaki areas are the communities where the terrorist group led by Dogo Gide shot down a military helicopter conveying the remains of 13 soldiers killed in a bandit ambush in the Kundu area of Wushishi Local Government Area of the state early this week.

The aerial raid of the areas THISDAY learnt was one of the offensive by the military against the dreaded Islamic Terrorist Group which a very informed source said had turned the areas especially Chikuba to their haven.

 It was learnt that for over two years the Dogo Gide group had hoisted its flag in the area after most of the community members all escaped to neighbouring Erena.

THISDAY learnt that some civilians were killed in the Thursday raid by the military jets.

One of the Co-Convener of the Concerned Shiroro Youths Association, a non-governmental organisation, Comrade Abubakar Yussuf Kokki, confirmed the raid to THISDAY yesterday, saying not less than three women have been confirmed dead as a result of the operations.

According to Kokki, “the communities suffered multiple serial bombardments as ceaseless sounds could be heard from around the villages which resulted in the loss of many lives among other avoidable destructions. 

“So far, about three women have been confirmed dead while several others injured, sustained various degrees of injuries requiring urgent medical attention.

“At the moment, search effort is still ongoing in order to ascertain the accurate casualty figure and other destructions,” Kokki said.

It would be recalled that heavily armed troops in several trucks moved to the area on Tuesday before the visit of the Chief of Army Staff to the troubled area.

No state government official was prepared to speak on the development.

Also the Niger State Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, could not be reached for his comment.