The Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria’s aerial warfare branch of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has announced the successful execution of two major air interdiction missions targeting armed bandit camps in Zamfara State, a conflict affected region in northwestern Nigeria.
Okay News reports that the coordinated airstrikes were carried out at Turba Hill and at a camp operated by Kachalla Dogo Sule in Tsafe Local Government Area, a rural administrative district within Zamfara State that has witnessed repeated attacks linked to banditry and insecurity.
In a statement released on Monday, December 29, 2025, the Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the operations were conducted on Sunday after the military received credible intelligence from multiple independent sources.
According to Ejodame, the air missions were designed to weaken the operational strength of armed bandit groups responsible for recent violent attacks across Nigeria’s North West geopolitical zone. He explained that Nigerian Air Force air assets were deployed to dismantle the groups’ infrastructure and eliminate their ability to operate freely.
The first airstrike was carried out at Turba Hill, which military intelligence identified as a fortified bandit hideout. Ejodame said the strike focused on a zinc roofed structure believed to be central to the enclave’s coordination and logistics.
“Post strike assessment confirmed the total destruction of the target and the neutralisation of several bandits,” he stated.
Ejodame further revealed that a second mission targeted Kachalla Dogo Sule’s Camp, a location described as a major operational and improvised explosive device manufacturing centre. The camp was linked to recent violent incidents along the Dan Sadau to Magami axis, a key route within Zamfara State.
“The second mission hit Kachalla Dogo Sule’s Camp, a notorious IED manufacturing and operational hub linked to recent attacks along the Dan Sadau–Magami axis. Multiple active structures were engaged, triggering intense fires that destroyed the facilities and neutralised several bandits, crippling the group’s IED production and deployment capacity,” he said.
The Nigerian Air Force spokesperson noted that the destruction of the camp dealt a serious blow to the ability of bandit networks in Zamfara State to manufacture and deploy improvised explosive devices against civilians and security personnel.
Ejodame added that the air operations were conducted in collaboration with other security components under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, a joint military security initiative established by the Federal Government of Nigeria to restore peace across the North West region.
He said the Nigerian Air Force remains committed to denying criminal elements freedom of movement while supporting broader national efforts to improve security and stability across the country.
