Air and Ground Troops Crushes Bandit Strongholds in Zamfara, Rescue Victims, as Key Bandits fled Amid Collateral Damage
By: Zagazola Makama
Zamfara State has witnessed a major breakthrough in the fight against banditry as troops of Operation Fansan Yamma, in collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force, executed a series of well-coordinated operations that decimated notorious bandit camps and freed kidnapped victims in the state.
The offensive saw a daring air-ground assault on January 10, 2025, targeting bandit enclaves in the Fakai Hills of Shinkafi Local Government Area. Intelligence reports had confirmed the presence of high-profile bandit leaders, including Kachallah Bello Turji, whose criminal network has terrorized communities for years.
The operation began with aerial surveillance, which confirmed the presence of scores of bandits and their commanders. Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft launched precise strikes, targeting the bandits with rockets and cannons, leading to heavy casualties. Real-time coordination between the aircrew and ground troops ensured accurate target engagement, leaving over 25 bandits neutralized and several others gravely injured.
The aircrew observed bandits fleeing in disarray, abandoning their weapons and motorcycles. Ground forces advanced to consolidate the aerial gains, recovering stolen property and rescuing multiple kidnapped victims. Local sources confirmed that several bandits loyal to Bello Turji were either killed or seriously injured during the operation.
While Turji’s exact whereabouts remain unknown, the impact of the assault has forced him and other infamous bandit leaders, including Ado Allero and Dan Isihu, into hiding.
Aleiro is continuously shifting locations to evade capture, due to the mounting pressure that bandits face from security forces.
Aleiro, was reported to have retreated into hiding in a remote village within Eastern Tsafe, specifically in the area known as Asaula in a separate operation Amid the ongoing battle against armed banditry in the villages of Eastern and Western Tsafe.
During one of the troops strategic ambushes strategic ambushes, Aleiro’s brother, Dan Isihu, the notorious bandits kingpin who recently imposed N172million on 25 villages, was engaged in a heavy fire after encountering with the ground troops along the Kyaware road.
Despite the success, the military operation was not without its challenges. Earlier, in the Tungar Kara community of Maradun Local Government Area, bandits had launched a deadly raid to abduct people at Gidan Kara. The onslaught was led by a notorious Bandits simply identified as SALE from Gidan Waya. The troops in collaboration with the Zamfara Community Protection Guard (ZCPG), were promptly deployed to engaged the bandits, killing nine of the bandits, seizing their motorcycles and recovering their weapons while some casualties were recorded among the vigilante, forcing the bandits to retreat to the bush. The bandits returned after 40 minutes to engaged the troops for a second fight. When the air component of Operation Fansan Yamma arrived at the scene, the bandits were spotted attempting to escape with kidnapped victims. The NAF aircraft engaged the assailants, forcing them to release the captives and flee into the forest. The strikes, was said to have touch some civilians during the rescue operation which also resulted in the killing of several bandits. Meanwhile, the Vigilantes who had earlier defended the community had already suffered significant losses before the intervention.
A member of the Zamfara Community Protection Guard (name withheld) because he was not officially allowed to speak said “We killed 9 of the bandits, seized their motorcycles and rifles before they came back. We lost some of our men in the bandits. NAF intervention helped in preventing the bandits to escaped with the victims. Again, we lost some of our men after the strike.
Meanwhile, authorities have urged community leaders and residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities promptly to security forces.
The leadership of Operation Fansan Yamma has called on bandit leaders and their networks to surrender and embrace peace or face relentless pursuit.
As key leaders like Bello Turji, Ado Allero, and Dan Isihu remain in hiding, the Armed Forces have vowed to intensify their efforts until all criminal elements are neutralized and the region is fully secured.
