By Chimezie Godfrey
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has dealt a heavy blow to bandit networks in Zamfara State, following precision airstrikes that flattened a fortified terrorist camp perched on high ground in Tsafe Local Government Area.
The operation, carried out on 14 November, targeted the notorious Sauri camp, which security sources described as one of the most strategic hideouts used by bandits in the axis. The criminals reportedly stored rustled livestock, regrouped fighters, and coordinated attacks from the elevated enclave — a location chosen for its defensive advantage and difficult access.
In a statement signed by Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information, the NAF said its Air Component under Operation FANSAN YAMMA launched multiple strike passes after surveillance teams confirmed suspicious movement and heavy activity in the area.
According to the statement, the airstrikes scored “direct hits” on the camp, triggering chaos among the bandits who attempted to flee into the bush. They were tracked and neutralised as part of what the NAF described as a “coordinated and decisive” assault.
The NAF said the operation destroyed key structures, logistics points, and fighting positions, significantly disrupting the bandits’ operational capacity around Tsafe and neighbouring communities.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, reaffirmed the military’s resolve, insisting that the NAF would continue to “find them, hunt them down, and protect our people,” echoing his earlier vow that terrorists would never again find comfort in remote enclaves.
While the military is celebrating the success, residents in Zamfara are waiting to see whether the blow will translate into sustained relief in a region where bandits often regroup after major strikes. Security watchers say the coming weeks will determine if the operation marks a turning point or just another temporary setback for the criminals.
For now, the NAF is positioning the Tsafe airstrike as one of its most decisive hits in the North-West in recent months — a message meant to reassure a public weary of bandit violence and to signal that high-ground hideouts are no longer safe for criminal groups.
NAF Airstrikes Level Major Bandit Fortress in Tsafe
