Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has delivered a devastating blow to banditry in Katsina State, as the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma executed a precision airstrike in the early hours of 13 March 2025, decimating notorious bandit hideouts in Unguwar Goga Hillforest, Ruwan Godiya Ward, Faskari Local Government Area.
This was contained in a statement made available to Defence Correspondents in Abuja by Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force, Group Captain Kabiru Ali.
According to the statement, “The airstrikes, which preceded careful and actionable intelligence advancing purposeful lethality, destroyed the fortified camps of notorious bandit kingpins, Gero (Alhaji) and Alhaji Riga, neutralising over 20 criminals, with additional casualties reported in the surrounding rocky hills”.
It added that the airstrike had a decisive impact on the criminals, and assessment of the full extent of the damage was ongoing.
It further explained; “Riga and Gero were key enablers of banditry, sheltering terrorist elements responsible for relentless ambushes along the Funtua-Gusau Road, particularly between Yankara and Sheme villages.
“Their elimination marks a significant breakthrough in the ongoing military campaign to restore peace in the North-West.”
It reaffirmed that the NAF, in coordination with ground forces, remained relentless in its mission to eradicate all threats and dismantle bandit strongholds.
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