ABUJA, Nigeria 

Nigeria’s military conducted airstrikes in Zamfara state, “neutralizing” dozens of gang members, the Defense Ministry said late Thursday.

Bernard Onyeuko, the deputy spokesman for the ministry, said aerial raids dubbed “Operation Hadin Kai” targeted gang elements in the Bakura region and 82 armed gang members were killed.

He added that scores of others fled the scene wounded.

For the past five years, the state has been ravaged by a spiral of violence as Fulanis and some other tribes target each other. Mining activities there were banned due to security concerns.

*Writing by Ali Murat Alhas