The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has delivered a significant blow to criminal networks in the North-West, executing successful air raids that neutralized scores of bandits and dismantled key infrastructure in Zamfara state.
Precision Strikes Based on Credible Intelligence
According to an official statement released on Monday by Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the Director of Public Relations and Information for the NAF, the operations were conducted on Sunday, December 29, 2025. The missions were launched following actionable intelligence from multiple sources, targeting two specific locations in the Tsafe Local Government Area.
The first strike focused on Turba Hill, a confirmed bandit hideout. The aerial assault resulted in the complete destruction of a central operational facility, described as a zinc-roofed structure. Post-strike assessments confirmed the target was obliterated and several bandits were neutralized in the process.
Targeting a Notorious Bandit Leader and IED Hub
The second and equally critical operation zeroed in on the camp of a notorious bandit leader, Kachalla Dogo Sule. This location had been identified as a major hub for manufacturing Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and coordinating attacks along the volatile Dan Sadau–Magami axis.
NAF aircraft engaged multiple active structures at the camp. The bombardment triggered intense fires that consumed the facilities, killing several bandits and critically impairing the group's capacity to produce and deploy explosive devices. This strike is seen as a major tactical victory in degrading the logistical capabilities of the bandits.
Sustained Pressure for Regional Security
Air Commodore Ejodame emphasized that these air interdiction missions were executed to degrade the combat capabilities of the bandits and deny them safe havens. He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Air Force, in collaboration with sister security agencies, to sustain relentless pressure on criminal elements until peace and security are fully restored in the North-West region.
These latest airstrikes form a crucial part of the broader Operation FANSAN YAMMA, a joint military initiative aimed at dismantling bandit camps, severing supply routes, and restoring stability across states plagued by banditry and kidnapping. Zamfara state has remained a primary epicenter of this violence for several years.
The NAF spokesperson concluded by stating the force's resolve to continue supporting joint operations to deny bandits freedom of action and safeguard the lives and property of citizens across Nigeria.
