The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has struck a major blow against banditry in Katsina State, with precision airstrikes targeting notorious criminal hideouts in Unguwar Goga Hillforest, Ruwan Godiya Ward, Faskari Local Government Area.
The operation, carried out by the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma in the early hours of Thursday, March 13, 2025, targeted the fortified camps of two notorious bandit kingpins, Gero (Alhaji) and Alhaji Riga.
According to a statement issued Friday night by Group Captain Kabiru Ali, Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information for the NAF, the airstrikes successfully neutralized over 20 bandits, with additional casualties reported in the surrounding rocky hills.
“The Nigerian Air Force has delivered a devastating blow to banditry in Katsina State,” Ali stated.
“These airstrikes, based on careful intelligence gathering, destroyed the fortified camps of notorious bandit kingpins Gero (Alhaji) and Alhaji Riga, neutralizing over 20 criminals. Additional casualties have also been reported in the surrounding rocky hills,” the statement read.
Ali added that Gero and Riga were key enablers of banditry in the region, offering shelter to terrorist elements responsible for deadly ambushes along the Funtua-Gusau Road, particularly between Yankara and Sheme villages.
The elimination of these criminal leaders is seen as a major breakthrough in the ongoing military campaign to restore peace and security in Nigeria’s North-West region.
While the airstrikes had a decisive impact, Ali noted that the full extent of the damage is still being assessed as security forces continue their operations to root out remaining criminal elements in the region.
