A recent airstrike by the Nigerian Air Force has resulted in the elimination of three top bandit leaders and several fighters at Bello Turji’s camp in the Kagara forest, located in Sokoto State.

The airstrikes were carried out shortly after the bandits launched a retaliatory attack on a unit of the Civilian Joint Task Force at Forward Operating Base Isa. T

his reprisal followed the killing of seven bandits and the recovery of seven AK-47 rifles, four motorcycles, and other items. Tragically, eight Civilian Joint Task Force troops lost their lives during the ensuing gun battle.

According to a counter-insurgency expert and security analyst in the Lake Chad Region, Zagazola Makama, intelligence indicated the withdrawal of the attackers towards the Shinkafi axis. Acting swiftly on this information, the air component dispatched aircraft to track down the terrorists.

The terrorists were eventually located in the Kagara Forest, taking refuge under a mango tree between Shinkafi and Isa.

In response, NAF aircraft conducted multiple waves of attacks on the camp, resulting in the immediate destruction of numerous terrorists. Ground troops intercepted and neutralized fleeing bandits in an ambush at Makwaruwa village in Sabon Birni of Isa LGA.

“Battle damage assessment indicated that some top bandits like KACHALLAH UBAN DABA, DAN JANGERU, and DOGO NA HANTS were killed, while 13 bandits sustained various degrees of injuries. Bello Turji reportedly escaped the attack,” stated Zagazola.

Surviving wounded bandits were reportedly taken to Kagara for treatment in a primary school. Following the encounter, enraged fighters stormed Rijiya Malladan and Harin Shalla in Isa, setting the villages ablaze and destroying food items.

However, they were repelled by the joint troops of Operation Hadarin Daji, collaborating with the government-backed militia known as Yan sa Kai.