NAF Airstrikes Crush Bandit Strongholds in Zamfara,Kill Dozens

Nigerian Air Force (NAF) jets delivered devastating precision strikes on bandit hideouts in Zamfara State over the weekend, obliterating key enclaves and eliminating dozens of criminals in a bold move to dismantle terror networks terrorizing the North-West.

The operations unfolded on Sunday in Tsafe Local Government Area, targeting Turba Hill—a notorious bandit stronghold—and the camp of kingpin Kachalla Dogo Sule, a hub for improvised explosive device (IED) production linked to deadly ambushes along the Dan Sadau–Magami road. Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, confirmed the success in a Monday statement, crediting “credible multi-source intelligence” for guiding the air interdiction missions.

At Turba Hill, NAF assets zeroed in on a zinc-roofed command structure at the heart of the enclave. Post-strike Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) revealed complete destruction of the site, with several bandits confirmed neutralized amid the rubble.

The second raid hammered Kachalla Dogo Sule’s camp, a fortified base where bandits manufactured and stockpiled IEDs for attacks on troops and civilians. Explosions ignited fierce fires that gutted multiple structures, shredding the group’s operational capacity and killing additional fighters. Ejodame emphasized that these strikes severed a critical supply line for explosives, which have fueled recent violence in Zamfara and neighboring states.

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This escalation aligns with Operation FANSAN YAMMA, a joint military campaign intensifying pressure on bandits amid rising insecurity. Recent intelligence from security sources, including reports from Vanguard and Daily Trust, links Kachalla Dogo Sule’s network to ambushes that claimed over 20 soldiers’ lives last month near Dansadau. Zamfara has seen a surge in banditry since mid-2025, with abductions and raids displacing thousands, prompting President Bola Tinubu’s administration to pledge more air support.

NAF’s precision firepower underscores its growing role in counter-insurgency, boasting over 90% strike accuracy in recent North-West ops per military briefings. Ejodame reiterated the force’s resolve: “These actions deny bandits safe havens, degrade their capabilities, and pave the way for ground troops to reclaim territories.”

Residents in Tsafe hailed the strikes as a morale booster, though analysts urge sustained ground patrols to prevent bandit relocation. As Nigeria grapples with banditry’s economic toll—disrupting farming and trade worth billions—these victories signal progress in a long fight for regional stability.