In a powerful demonstration of Nigeria’s resolve to eradicate terrorism, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), under the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA (AC OPFY), has successfully neutralized scores of bandits and obliterated their logistics hub deep within Alawa Forest in Shiroro Local Government Area, Niger State. Renowned security analyst and counterinsurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, announced the development on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, hailing the operation as a significant victory against organized crime.
The airstrikes, conducted on January 21, were the culmination of weeks of meticulous planning, intelligence gathering, and aerial surveillance. Military sources revealed that actionable intelligence confirmed the presence of heavily armed terrorists within the dense forest. These criminals were linked to a series of violent attacks, including two devastating improvised explosive device (IED) explosions in Shiroro’s Bassa community on December 19, 2024, which claimed numerous civilian lives and left a trail of destruction.
Speaking on the operation, Air Vice Marshal Olusola Akinboyewa, Director of Public Relations and Information for the Nigerian Air Force, described the strikes—codenamed Operation KONAN DAJI—as part of a coordinated three-day offensive aimed at crippling the terrorists’ infrastructure and operational capacity. “This operation reflects our commitment to denying these criminal elements any safe haven and disrupting their ability to perpetrate further violence,” Akinboyewa stated.
According to reports, precision-guided strikes targeted key hideouts, ammunition depots, and logistics hubs used by the bandits to sustain their operations. Reconnaissance footage confirmed the success of the strikes, with significant destruction of infrastructure and high casualties among the terrorists. Survivors of the assault reportedly fled deeper into the forest in disarray, abandoning weapons, motorcycles, and other assets.
The residents of Shiroro LGA have lauded the military’s efforts, expressing hope that this decisive action will bring respite to communities plagued by years of violence, kidnappings, and displacement. “This is the first time we’ve seen such a sustained and impactful operation in this area. It gives us hope that peace may finally return,” said Musa Garba, a community leader in Bassa.
Security analysts have also commended the operation, noting that degrading the logistics capabilities of terrorist groups is crucial to breaking their momentum. However, they caution that sustained efforts will be needed to consolidate these gains and prevent the resurgence of criminal elements in the region.
As the Nigerian Air Force continues its air offensive across the nation’s troubled regions, the successful strikes in Alawa Forest signal a renewed commitment to restoring stability and protecting vulnerable communities. With the terrorists’ hideouts in disarray and their supply chains severed, the tides appear to be turning in the battle against insurgency.
PIONEER NEWS 