The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has killed scores of armed bandits in a series of airstrikes in north-central Niger State.
The operation, codenamed FANSAN YAMMA Sector 1, was launched between Tuesday and Thursday, backed by ground troops and intelligence reports.
NAF spokesperson Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet said the strikes targeted bandit camps in the Kakihun and Kumbashi areas, notorious for attacks and cattle rustling.
Using precision-guided munitions, fighter jets bombed terrorist hideouts, destroyed supply routes, and disrupted attempts to regroup after earlier raids.
Military sources told Anadolu Agency that the operation left at least 60 militants dead, although NAF has not confirmed official figures.
“The operation was harsh on the criminals. They suffered significant losses,” one source said, requesting anonymity due to lack of authorisation.
The offensive follows a string of attacks in the region, where heavily armed groups have terrorised rural communities for years.
Bandits in Nigeria often kidnap civilians, raid villages, and extort money, especially in the country’s northwest and north-central zones.
President Bola Tinubu has vowed to confront the threat head-on, warning armed groups to surrender or face the full force of the state.
In a statement, NAF said it remains “resolutely committed to protecting lives and property and ensuring lasting peace across Nigeria.”
The strikes mark one of the most coordinated efforts this year against criminal groups destabilising the country’s interior.
Residents and analysts say continued military pressure is crucial, but long-term peace will require addressing poverty, arms trafficking, and weak governance.
