How Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Airstrikes Neutralized Bandits in Niger State
Oru Leonard
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), in a recent raid dealt a significant blow to bandits operating in Niger State, neutralizing scores of them and destroying their logistics base at Alawa Forest in Shiroro Local Government Area. This achievement is part of the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA’s (AC OPFY) ongoing counter-terrorism campaign.
The operation, conducted on January 21, 2025, was the result of credible intelligence and aerial surveillance, which revealed an influx of armed terrorists into the forest. These criminals were linked to violent attacks, including two Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attacks on December 19, 2024, in Bassa, Shiroro LGA, which claimed several innocent lives.
In response, the NAF launched a three-day sustained air operation, code-named KONAN DAJI, to degrade the terrorists’ capabilities and render the forest uninhabitable for them. The air force dispatched fighter aircraft to execute air interdiction missions in the area, engaging identified targets with precision strikes and neutralizing numerous armed fighters.
The NAF’s efforts are part of a broader commitment to maintaining operational dominance across the region, in close coordination with ground forces. Sustained efforts are underway to eliminate all criminal elements from Alawa Forest and surrounding areas, ensuring lasting peace and security for communities in Niger State and beyond.
