Days after reports of the killing of residents by bandits in Sokoto State, there is a new story. Bandits are now under siege and are fleeing for their lives thanks to operations that brings together the Nigeria Army, Air Force, Police, DSS, among others together into joint raids.

Wife, mother of Bokkolo, a notorious bandit and some of his extended relatives and followers were said to be trapped as Air Force bombs bandits in Sokoto and Nigerian fighter jets were said to have killed several bandits and their relatives.

A resident, who confirmed the bombardment of Bokkolo’s residence said, many of his lieutenants were killed in the house. “But we are not sure whether he is among the dead, but his wife and mother were at home during the raid,” the source said.

The gunmen were dislodged in a sustained air raid, which commenced on Friday.

Some of them were said to have fled to Tsabre, Sarkin Darai and Tiɗibale which are between Goronyo and Unguwan Lalle in Sokoto, in the heat of the raids.

According to the locals, some of the bandits were seen with gunshot injuries in these three villages.

The raids were part of the joint operation, comprising the Nigeria Army, Air Force, Police, DSS, among others.

A senior army officer confided in Daily Trust that the operation is being led by the General Officer Commanding 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, Sokoto.

According to him, hundreds of bandits were killed around Isa and Sabon Birni areas and the operation went as far as the Nigerien border.

He added that all their hideouts and residences in the forests were bombarded.

Another source told us that most of the areas bombarded were under the control of the notorious bandits’ leader, Turji.

We learnt that four vigilantes who were part of the operation lost their lives in the fight.

“The whole of that axis is now militarized. We have not witnessed an operation of this magnitude since the advent of banditry in Sokoto. And it is succeeding,” the resident said.

Also speaking, the member representing Sabon Birni North, Aminu Almustapha Gobir, corroborated that, the operation was the first of its kind in that area, adding that it is recording tremendous successes.

“Many bandits have been killed and some have fled with gunshot injuries,” he said.

Another resident said locals were aiding the operation by reporting the movement of the fleeing bandits.

Without any doubt, these operations have boosted and made the popularity of the Nigerian military and other security services soar in Sokoto. The state government led by its government took decisive steps to make the security agents trusted in Sokoto and the effort seems to be yielding fruits and the Nigerian Army, Airforce and others seem keen to prove they are worthy of the trust placed in them in Sokoto.

Observers in Sokoto have noted that State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has taken the attacks by bandits personal and seems poised to do whatever it takes to vanquish bandits.

Tambuwal is said to have fumed to those close to him that the attacks on his own Sokoto is upsetting and will be regretted. Though constrained by what a state governor can do, Tambuwal who is a former Speaker of the House of Representatives and a senior member of the Nigerian judiciary is said to be using his personal contacts and institutional network to lead the fight against bandits in Sokoto.

An elder statesman from Sokoto confided to InsideNigeria that Governor Tambuwal is taking the attack on his people very personal and he will not relent till has vanquished bandits and any form of attack the people of his state.