The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has dealt a significant blow to the notorious bandit group led by Kachallah Bello Turji in a series of airstrikes carried out in Zamfara State.
Several top commanders and scores of bandits were killed, with numerous others sustaining injuries, according to a statement from the NAF on Sunday.
The strikes, coordinated in collaboration with ground troops, targeted key positions of the bandits, leading to heavy casualties among the group.
While the exact number of deaths remains unclear, local intelligence reports indicate substantial losses among Turji’s followers.
Despite the successful operation, the whereabouts of the elusive bandit leader, Kachallah Turji, remain unknown.
NAF spokesperson, Air Vice Marshal Olusola Akinboyewa, confirmed that Turji’s network has been significantly disrupted, and the bandit leader’s escape is putting additional pressure on his crumbling organization.
Akinboyewa described the operation, dubbed “Fansan Yamma,” as a meticulously planned and executed air-ground assault that leveraged real-time intelligence, ensuring precise targeting of enemy positions.
The bandits were observed fleeing eastward in an attempt to escape the strike, prompting further action from NAF personnel, who successfully neutralized additional targets using rockets and cannons.
The operation has been widely celebrated by locals in Zamfara, many of whom expressed relief and gratitude for the successful mission.
Several kidnapped victims were also freed, offering hope to families previously devastated by the banditry.
The Nigerian Air Force reaffirmed its commitment to working alongside ground forces in the ongoing fight to eliminate criminal elements and restore peace and security to the region.
