By: Zagazola Makama
In a decisive offensive against banditry, airstrikes carried out by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) under Operation FANSAN YANMA have eliminated scores of bandits in Tsafe Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara State. The operation, backed by coordinated intelligence, also led to the recovery of a significant number of rustled cattle.
Sources familiar with the operation told Zagazola Makama that the airstrikes targeted a group of bandits believed to be associates of notorious warlord Ado Aleiro. Intelligence reports indicated that the criminals had mobilized from Zamfara’s Tsafe LGA to raid nearby communities and steal livestock.
After successfully rustling a large herd, the bandits attempted to flee but were met with resistance from local security forces. A relentless pursuit ensued, forcing the criminals to seek refuge in a mountainous area. At this point, ground troops relayed real-time intelligence to the Nigerian Air Force, which swiftly deployed precision airstrikes, decimating the bandit stronghold.
Eyewitnesses on the ground confirmed the overwhelming impact of the aerial assault, with multiple bandits neutralized. While the exact number of casualties remains unconfirmed, credible security sources estimate that at least 23 bandits were killed, with many others sustaining severe injuries.
Following the operation, troops successfully reclaimed a large number of stolen cattle, disrupting a major revenue stream for these criminal networks. This latest offensive aligns with the military’s broader strategy to dismantle terrorist enclaves and eradicate cattle rustling, which remains a primary funding mechanism for armed groups terrorizing Zamfara and neighboring states.
With intensified military pressure and strategic air operations, security forces are sending a clear message: bandits can no longer operate with impunity in Nigeria’s troubled Northwest.
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