In a major victory against armed criminal groups, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has neutralized scores of bandits and destroyed a key logistics base in Alawa Forest, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State. This operation, executed under the code name KONAN DAJI, is part of the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA (AC OPFY), aimed at eradicating criminal elements and restoring peace to troubled regions of the country.
According to Director, Public Relations and Information, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force Air Vice Marshal Olusola F. Akinboyewa, the airstrikes, carried out on January 21, 2025, were the result of credible intelligence and follow-up aerial surveillance that confirmed the presence of a large number of armed terrorists in the forest. Intelligence reports linked the group to a series of violent attacks, including two Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosions on December 19, 2024, in Bassa, Shiroro LGA, which claimed the lives of several innocent residents.
In response, the NAF launched a three-day sustained air interdiction mission designed to degrade the operational capabilities of the terrorists and render Alawa Forest uninhabitable for their activities. A formation of fighter jets was dispatched to execute precision strikes on multiple targets within the forest. Upon arrival, the aircraft successfully engaged the targets, neutralizing numerous bandits and destroying their supply base, as evidenced by multiple secondary explosions that followed the airstrikes.
The success of this operation is a testament to the NAF’s commitment to maintaining air dominance in the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign. The Air Component worked in close coordination with ground forces to ensure the effectiveness of the mission and to secure surrounding communities.
Air Vice Marshal Olusola F. Akinboyewa, Director of Public Relations and Information for the Nigerian Air Force, praised the precision and effectiveness of the operation. “The Nigerian Air Force is resolute in its commitment to dismantling all criminal networks operating in the Alawa Forest and other parts of the country. Our goal is to ensure the safety and security of law-abiding citizens and to bring lasting peace to regions affected by the activities of terrorists,” he stated.
Ongoing operations aim to consolidate the gains of KONAN DAJI, with further efforts underway to eliminate any remaining threats and restore normalcy to communities in Niger State and beyond. The NAF has assured the public that it remains steadfast in its mission to eradicate criminal elements and support the broader security framework of Nigeria.
