The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has disclosed that airstrikes from operatives in Katsina State have decimated notorious criminal hideouts in Unguwar Goga Hillforest, Ruwan Godiya Ward in the Faskari Local Government Area of the state.

The operation, carried out by the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma in the early hours of Thursday, March 13, targeted the fortified camps of two notorious bandit kingpins, Gero (Alhaji) and Alhaji Riga.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Group Captain Kabiru Ali, the airstrikes successfully neutralized over 20 bandits, with additional casualties reported in the surrounding rocky hills.

Ali said Riga and Gero were key enablers of banditry in the region, providing shelter for terrorist elements responsible for deadly ambushes along the Funtua-Gusau Road, particularly between the Yankara and Sheme villages.

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He added that their elimination is seen as a major breakthrough in the ongoing military campaign to restore peace in the North-West

The statement read, “The Nigerian Air Force has delivered a devastating blow to banditry in Katsina State, as the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma executed a precision airstrike in early hours of 13 March 2025, decimating notorious bandit hideouts in Unguwar Goga Hillforest, Ruwan Godiya Ward, Faskari Local Government Area.

“The airstrikes, which preceded careful and actionable intelligence advancing purposeful lethality, destroyed the fortified camps of notorious bandit kingpins, Gero (Alhaji) and Alhaji Riga, neutralising over 20 criminals, with additional casualties reported in the surrounding rocky hills.

“The airstrike had a decisive impact on the criminals; assessment of the full extent of the damage is ongoing.”