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| Nigeria military says it has killed scores of bandits in Zamfara state | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The Nigerian air force has killed scores of gunmen, known locally as "bandits", who were members of criminal gangs operating in Zamfara state, the military has said. | The Nigerian air force has killed scores of gunmen, known locally as "bandits", who were members of criminal gangs operating in Zamfara state, the military has said. |
| The air force said in a statement on Monday that it carried out a raid in Makakkari forest, north-west Nigeria, which was the hideout of the gunmen who were believed to be behind some high-profile kidnappings in the area. | The air force said in a statement on Monday that it carried out a raid in Makakkari forest, north-west Nigeria, which was the hideout of the gunmen who were believed to be behind some high-profile kidnappings in the area. |
| It said it conducted the operation after surveillance detected more than 400 gang members preparing to attack a village. | It said it conducted the operation after surveillance detected more than 400 gang members preparing to attack a village. |
| Over the past two weeks, armed gangs have targeted nearby settlements, killing scores and kidnapping many more. At least 13 security personnel have also been killed. | Over the past two weeks, armed gangs have targeted nearby settlements, killing scores and kidnapping many more. At least 13 security personnel have also been killed. |
| The aerial strikes, in coordination with attacks on the ground, led to the deaths of "several notorious bandit kingpins and scores of their foot soldiers," air force spokesperson Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame said. | The aerial strikes, in coordination with attacks on the ground, led to the deaths of "several notorious bandit kingpins and scores of their foot soldiers," air force spokesperson Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame said. |
| He added that the ground forces intercepted and killed others trying to flee the forest. | He added that the ground forces intercepted and killed others trying to flee the forest. |
| In parts of Nigeria, kidnapping for ransom has become a lucrative business for some. | In parts of Nigeria, kidnapping for ransom has become a lucrative business for some. |
| The bandits, motivated by financial gain, have also increased their cooperation with jihadist groups that have been waging a 16-year armed insurgency in the north-east. | The bandits, motivated by financial gain, have also increased their cooperation with jihadist groups that have been waging a 16-year armed insurgency in the north-east. |
| In recent years, the military has launched a number of operations against the gangs, including last month when at least 95 gang members were killed - but the violence has persisted. | In recent years, the military has launched a number of operations against the gangs, including last month when at least 95 gang members were killed - but the violence has persisted. |
| You may also be interested in: | You may also be interested in: |
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| Nigeria's kidnap crisis: Inside story of a ransom negotiator | Nigeria's kidnap crisis: Inside story of a ransom negotiator |
| What is behind the wave of killings in central Nigeria? | What is behind the wave of killings in central Nigeria? |
| Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. | Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. |
| Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica | Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica |
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