The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says its Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma neutralised scores of bandits at Babban Kauye village in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, November 17, 2024.

Akinboyewa said success was achieved in further air interdiction missions on large gatherings of bandits in the area on Friday, November 15.

Akinboyewa said the NAF had sustained its aggressive air interdiction campaign, nicknamed Operation Farautar Mujiya, aimed at eliminating bandit threats in the North West.

He said the operations led to the neutralisation of numerous bandits, including key loyalists of bandit leaders, Dan-Isuhu and Dogo Sule.

According to him, the airstrikes targeted a large assembly of bandits in Babban Kauye village.

The NAF spokesman stated: “Intelligence sources revealed that the congregation of the criminals was perfecting plans for coordinated attacks against military personnel or civilians along the Tsafe axis.

“Upon receiving credible intelligence, the NAF launched a series of devastating airstrikes, inflicting significant casualties on the criminal elements.

Bandits kill 3, kidnap 2 farmers in Niger State

“Reports from the ground confirmed the successful elimination of numerous high-ranking members of the bandit groups, dealing a severe blow to their operational capacity.”

Akinboyewa said Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State had long been a flashpoint for bandit activities, with factions loyal to Dan-Isuhu and Dogo Sule notorious for orchestrating violent assaults on local communities, security forces, and vital infrastructure.

He noted that the bandits utilised remote settlements like Babban Kauye as strategic safe havens, from which they coordinate and execute their nefarious operations.

Akinboyewa said the latest airstrikes represented a robust response and support for the theatre command of Operation Fansan Yamma by the NAF.

This, he said, aligned with broader efforts to dismantle and completely degrade bandit networks in the region, and disrupt planned attacks to restore peace and stability to the embattled North West.

The NAF spokesperson added: “The NAF remains resolute in its mission, in collaboration with sister services and other security agencies to secure the region and indeed the nation as a whole.

“We will work to eliminate threats posed by terrorists, bandits and all other criminal elements working against the peace and prosperity of our beloved country.”

The Star