Kingpin escapes as troops kill 16 Zamfara bandits

No less than 16 bandits were killed when airstrikes by Operation Hadarin Daji’s air component struck their stronghold along Kaura Namoda Road in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Additionally, it was said that Gwoska Dankarami, a wanted terrorist kingpin, narrowly avoided death during the operation.

According to a military report handed to news media on Sunday, Dankarami managed to flee the operation that took place on New Year’s Eve while still hurt.

The military report quoted a source privy to the modus operandi of the terrorist kingpin as confirming overhearing the terrorist lamenting the determination of the military to eliminate him and his family.

The report read, “He was also heard to have complained bitterly about the New Year’s Eve air strikes, which lasted for several hours, killing over 16 of his cohorts and destroying his newly-built house as well as his enclave.

“According to the source, Dankarami also expressed deep concern about the dire situation he has found himself in since it became clear that the military was hell-bent on eliminating him at any cost.”

Contacted about the airstrikes, NAF spokesperson Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet noted that Dankarami and those like him continue to be of interest to the NAF and all security services because of the wrongdoing they have committed.

“The directive of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, that there is no hiding place for all terrorists and their supporters, wherever they may be, remains active even as we cross into the New Year,” he added.