War Against Insurgents: NAF Strike Kills Scores of Bandits in Zamfara State

By Ankeli Emmanue

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) under the auspices of the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Sector 2, Monday struck two major camps of bandits in Zamfara State neutralizing scores of the bandits and destroying their Improvised Explosive Device (IED) manufacturing hub.

Giving an update on the development, a statement shared to 8 Division media platform quoted the action as part of the Operation Fassan Yamma sustained offensive against the armed banditry.

The statement disclosed that, two high-impact precision Air Interdiction (AI) missions were released on 28 December 2025 targeted at Turba Hill and Kachalla Dogo Sule’s Camp, both in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, added saying “the impact was a huge success”.

“Acting on credible, multi-source intelligence, NAF air assets were deployed against bandit enclaves at the identified locations. The first strike targeted Turba Hill, a confirmed bandit hideout. Persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance revealed significant human activity and an operational zinc-roofed structure assessed to be central to the enclave’s activities. Following positive identification, the target was engaged with precision, resulting in a direct hit. Post-strike battle damage assessment confirmed the complete destruction of the structure and the neutralisation of several bandits.

“The second AI mission was conducted at Kachalla Dogo Sule’s Camp, a notorious bandit stronghold identified as a key IED manufacturing and operational hub. Intelligence had linked the camp to the planning and execution of recent IED attacks along the Dan Sadau–Magami axis. The precision strike successfully engaged multiple active structures within the enclave, triggering intense fires that destroyed the facilities and neutralised several bandits, effectively crippling the group’s IED production and deployment capability”.

Continuing, the statement said, “these decisive air strikes represent a significant degradation of bandit networks operating in Zamfara State, particularly their capacity to manufacture and employ improvised explosive devices. The operations reaffirm the Nigerian Air Force’s unwavering commitment, working in close coordination with other components of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, to deny criminal elements safe havens, degrade their combat effectiveness, and support ongoing joint efforts to restore lasting peace and security across the North-West and the nation at large”.

Recall that few days ago, commuters at the Sokoto-Zamfara high way were thrown into yet another round of bewilderment following the detonation of two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) that killed no fewer than 8 persons. NNL.