ABUJA, April 23 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian Air Force on Tuesday said at least 10 armed group members were killed during an air raid on their hideout in the northwestern state of Zamfara.
The gunmen were regrouping at Sububu Forest in the state on Monday when the Air Task Force (ATF) responded to a request for close air support by ground troops, said air force spokesman Ibikunle Daramola.
"Accordingly, the ATF dispatched two Alpha jets and an attack helicopter to provide the needed support and also conducted armed reconnaissance over identified locations in Shinkafi local government area as well as Sububu and Dumburum Forests and environs," Daramola said in a statement.
He said one of the Alpha jets spotted a group of gunmen at Sububu Forest. The gunmen fired at the aircraft with their rifles, whilst running for cover.
Several other gunmen escaped with injuries, the military spokesman said, adding the air force would sustain its operations to flush the armed group members out of the northwest region of the country while working in consonance with surface forces and other security agencies.
On Monday, the army said six members of the same group were killed by troops during weekend operations in Zamfara.
Eighteen informants, including a village head, were also arrested by the troops.
Early this month, the Nigerian military launched a full-scale offensive against armed groups operating in the state. The offensive is part of sustained efforts to flush out "banditry and criminality" in Zamfara in particular and the northwest region in general.
The state of Zamfara, as well as neighboring Kaduna state, have witnessed a series of attacks by armed groups in recent months.
There have also been recurring incidents of livestock rustling and armed banditry in the region.
