Airstrikes by Nigerian Air Force Free Kidnapped Victims from Bandits in Katsina, after several terrorists killed

By: Zagazola Makama

Atleast Five kidnapped victims have managed to escape captivity after an airstrike by the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA under the Northwest Operation FARAUTAR MUJIYA, targeted bandit hideouts near Babare Hills in Katsina State.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the victims Musa Umar (45), Alhaji Hassan Dando (47), Saminu Ali (35), Yasir Salisu (15), and Muhammad Buhari (17) were held by bandits after being kidnapped from Jibia’s Bachaka quarters and Lankwasau village in early October.

The escape occurred in the early hours of November 10, 2024, during an air interdiction as part of Operation Fansa Yamma, the Nigerian military’s intensified campaign against banditry in the northwest.

According to Musa Umar, one of the freed victims, the airstrikes struck the bandits’ enclave, leading to significant casualties among the bandits and forcing guards to abandon their posts. This enabled five of the captives to break free from their chains and flee the area.

Four of the victims sought help at an army Forward Operating Base in Faru and were later transferred to the Jibia Army Camp.

Meanwhile, Umar made his way to Jibia General Hospital for medical assistance. He reported that about 30 people remained captive at Babare Hills, with chains still preventing their escape.

The Nigerian Military has significantly ramped up its operations to tackle the pervasive issue of banditry across the northwest region.

Through a series of strategic airstrikes and ground offensives under Operation Fansa Yamma, security forces have targeted major hideouts and supply routes used by bandit groups. Recent airstrikes, including successful missions around Babare Hills in Katsina State, have not only neutralized scores of bandits but also led to the liberation of kidnapped victims who managed to escape amid the chaos.

The intensified campaign reflects a shift toward proactive and relentless pressure on bandit enclaves across the northwest. High-profile operations involving the Nigerian Air Force and ground troops are focused on reclaiming areas that have long been hotspots of criminal activity.

These ongoing efforts aim not only to weaken the operational capacity of bandits but also to dismantle the infrastructure supporting their movements and activities. Authorities have also underscored the importance of intelligence gathering and sustained air surveillance in locating bandit camps and preventing future attacks, underscoring the military’s evolving strategy to end banditry and secure the region.

Airstrikes by Nigerian Air Force Free Kidnapped Victims from Bandits in Katsina, after several terrorists killed