JUST-IN; Air Force Jet Raids Terrorists’ Havens in Kwaki, Chikuba Communities of Niger State

Air force jet was reported to have bombed several communities in Shiroro local government area of Niger state, leaving many people injured and property destroyed.

Chikuba and Kwaki communities are said to have been worst hit by the bombardment which took place on Thursday evening.

Both Chububa and Kwaki areas are the communities where a military helicopter conveying the remains of 17 soldiers killed in a bandit ambush in the Kundu area of Wushishi local government area of the state crashed early this week. A terrorist group led by Dogo Giede claimed to have shot down the helicopter.

The aerial raid of the areas, THISDAY learnt, was one of the offensive operations by the military against the dreaded Islamic terrorist group, which informed sources said had turned the areas, especially Chikuba, to terrorists’ haven.

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

THISDAY learnt that some civilians were killed in the Thursday raid by the military jet. This, however, could not be independently confirmed.

One of the Co-convener of the Concerned Shiroro Youths Association, a non governmental organisation, Comrade Abubakar Yussuf Kokki, confirmed the raid to THISDAY on Friday, and claimed that no less than three women were confirmed killed as a result of the operation.

Yussuf Kokki said 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.

Heavily armed troops in several trucks had 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 State Police Command Public Relations Officer DSP Wasiu Abiodun could not be reached for his comment.