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NAF Airstrikes Eliminate Armed Bandits Along Kebbi–Zamfara Border

Published by Tope Fakinlede on July 11th, 2025.

NAF Airstrikes Eliminate Armed Bandits Along Kebbi–Zamfara Border

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has successfully carried out targeted airstrikes, killing numerous armed bandits moving in a convoy along the Kebbi–Zamfara border area. The strikes were carried out on Wednesday as part of Operation FANSAR YAMMA.

This was revealed in a statement issued Thursday by NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, to defence correspondents in Abuja.

According to the statement, the operation was based on credible, real-time intelligence which tracked the movement of nearly 150 motorcycles, each carrying two armed fighters, near Yarbuga in Zamfara’s Maru Local Government Area.

Upon confirming the threat, NAF aircraft launched coordinated strikes on the convoy with high precision. The air assault reportedly scattered the armed group, with some fleeing on foot and others attempting to escape on motorcycles. However, follow-up strikes and aerial surveillance further disrupted their escape routes.

The statement also confirmed that ground troops moved into Yarbuga on the morning of Thursday, July 10, 2025, for mop-up operations. The team discovered the bodies of many terrorists, destroyed motorcycles, and seized various weapons left behind.

“This joint air and ground mission has significantly weakened the presence of armed bandit groups in the area,” the statement said.

The Nigerian Air Force emphasized that the operation is part of ongoing efforts to safeguard civilians, limit terrorist activities, and work closely with ground forces to restore lasting peace across affected regions.