The Katsina State Government has praised the Air Component of Operation Fasan Yamma Northwest and the Nigerian Army’s 17 Brigade for a successful joint mission that eliminated numerous bandits and dismantled the camps of notorious bandit leaders at Bichi Hill.
Reports indicate that the operation was based on reliable intelligence and precision ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) missions.
Carried out on Thursday, the mission specifically targeted the hideouts of two notorious bandit leaders, Manore and Lalbi, who have been orchestrating attacks on communities in Danmusa, Safana, and Kankara Local Government Areas of the state.
The operation began with targeted airstrikes that destroyed the bandits’ camps, forcing them to flee.
According to a local resident, Ismailia Ibrahim, the military forces then launched a ground offensive into the forest, engaging the bandits with full force.
“For years, we lived in fear and complied with the bandits’ demands to avoid their wrath,” Ibrahim shared.
Following the initial airstrikes, ground troops pursued the fleeing bandits, engaging them in a gunfight, while aerial platforms continued delivering follow-up strikes. This resulted in the neutralization of several bandits and the destruction of their facilities.
The successful operation highlights the military’s commitment to restoring peace and security in Katsina State and the broader Northwest region.