Nigerian Air Force Strikes Bandit IED Hub in Zamfara Under Operation FANSAN YAMMA
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has carried out precision air strikes targeting bandit strongholds in Zamfara State, destroying an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) manufacturing unit and a major operational hub used by criminal gangs terrorising the region.
The strikes were conducted by the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Sector 2, following intelligence reports identifying the locations of the bandit camps.
The operations focused on two key sites in the Tsafe Local Government Area, both of which had been linked to recent attacks against security forces and local communities.
In the first mission, air assets engaged a confirmed bandit hideout on Turba Hill, completely destroying the facility and neutralising several armed suspects.
The second strike targeted a notorious camp known for IED production and operational planning, which had been used to coordinate attacks along critical road networks in the area.
Multiple structures were obliterated, significantly disrupting the bandits’ ability to manufacture and deploy explosive devices.
The Nigerian Air Force described the missions as a major blow to the operational capabilities of the armed groups, particularly their capacity to stage attacks and terrorise local populations.
Officials said the operations were carried out with precision to minimise civilian risk while maximising impact on the criminal elements.
The strikes form part of ongoing efforts under Operation FANSAN YAMMA to degrade armed groups’ infrastructure, deny them freedom of movement, and restore security across vulnerable communities in the North‑West region. Analysts say such intelligence-driven air operations are increasingly critical in countering entrenched criminal networks that exploit remote terrain to carry out attacks.
The Nigerian Air Force reaffirmed its commitment to sustained operations against banditry, ensuring the safety of civilians and supporting broader national security efforts in the affected areas.
