Emirs in Zamfara State have expressed concern that the air strikes embarked upon by troops of the Nigerian Air Force to flush out bandits in the state were killing innocent citizens.

Reacting to the recent military air strikes launched in the state, the Emir of Bungudu, Alhaji Hassan Attahiru who spoke on behalf of the Zamfara Council of Chiefs at the end of an emergency meeting held on Thursday in Gusau, the state capital berated the Defence Minister, Mansur Dan’Ali for claiming that the bandits were working with some traditional rulers.

The emirs, who asked Mansur Dan’Ali to immediately name the traditional rulers or withdraw the statement, maintained that the minister’s utterance was an attempt to tarnish the image of traditional rulers in the country.

“The Council noted that airstrikes undertaken by the military did not hit the main camps of the bandits.

“Reports from Mutu in Gusau and Tsafe Local Government Area, Tangaram in Anka LGA and Dumburum in Zurmi LGA among others indicated that the areas shelled were not the actual hideouts of the bandits and the victims were innocent civilians.

“If the main camps of the bandits are taken over and security personnel stationed there for a considerable period of time, this will deprive the bandits of their territory, mobility and supply routes, thus securing all surrounding areas,” Alhaji Attahiru said.