The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has struck a significant blow against banditry in Katsina State, as the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma carried out a precision airstrike in the early hours of Thursday, March 13, 2025. The operation targeted notorious bandit hideouts in Unguwar Goga Hillforest, Ruwan Godiya Ward, Faskari Local Government Area, resulting in the destruction of fortified camps and the elimination of key criminal figures.
According to a statement from Group Captain Kabiru Ali, Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF Headquarters, the operation was based on carefully gathered intelligence and executed with surgical precision. The airstrikes neutralized over 20 bandits, with additional casualties reported in the surrounding rocky hills. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed.
Among those eliminated were Gero (Alhaji) and Alhaji Riga, two notorious bandit kingpins known for orchestrating relentless ambushes along the Funtua-Gusau Road, particularly between Yankara and Sheme villages. Their elimination is regarded as a major breakthrough in the ongoing military campaign to restore peace and security in the North-West region.
“This strike underscores the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to eradicating all threats and dismantling bandit strongholds,” said Group Captain Ali. “In coordination with ground forces, the NAF remains resolute in its mission to protect Nigerian citizens and ensure lasting peace.”
The operation is part of a broader effort by the Nigerian military to combat insurgency and criminal activity in the region. Further assessments and follow-up operations are underway to consolidate the gains achieved and prevent the resurgence of bandit activity.
