The Nigeria Airforce said its Operation Fansan Yamma has executed further air interdiction missions in Zamfara State, on 15 November 2024.

Air Commodore Olusola F Akinboyewa, Director Public Relations and Information Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force in a statement, said the airstrikes targeted a large assembly of bandits in Babban Kauye village, situated in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

“Intelligence sources revealed that the congregation of criminals was perfecting plans for coordinated attacks against military personnel or civilians along the Tsafe axis.

“Upon receiving credible intelligence, the NAF launched a series of devastating airstrikes, inflicting significant casualties on the criminal elements. Reports from the ground confirmed the successful elimination of numerous high-ranking members of the bandit groups, dealing a severe blow to their operational capacity.”

“Tsafe Local Government Area has long been a flashpoint for bandit activities, with factions loyal to Dan-Isuhu and Dogo Sule notorious for orchestrating violent assaults on local communities, security forces, and vital infrastructure. These groups have utilized remote settlements like Babban Kauye as strategic safe havens, from which they coordinate and execute their nefarious operations.

“The latest airstrikes represent a robust response and support for the Theatre Command of Operation FANSAN YAMMA by the NAF, aligning with broader efforts to dismantle and completely degrade bandit networks in the region, disrupt planned attacks with a view to restoring peace and stability to the embattled Northwest.

“The NAF remains resolute in its mission, in collaboration with sister Services and other security agencies to secure the region and indeed the nation as a whole, as we work to eliminate threats posed by terrorists, bandits and all other criminal elements working against the peace and prosperity of our beloved country.”

The leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has raised concerns over the Tinubu government’s preference for Lagos State against other states of the federation.

To this end, Kwankwaso accused Lagos of attempting to dominate other regions in the country, particularly Kano, because of the overwhelming support it receives from the central government.

Kwankwaso alleged that Lagos is meddling in Kano’s internal matters, including the selection of its emir.

He made the claims during a speech at the convocation ceremony of Skyline University in Kano on Sunday.

“Today, we can see very clearly that there are significant efforts from the Lagos axis to colonise this part of the country. Lagos wouldn’t allow us to choose even our Emir; instead, they want to impose their own Emir on Kano,” he stated.

Kwankwaso, whose main target was President Tinubu, said further: “Lagos today feel they only are Nigeria, interfering in other states’ affairs. We will not tolerate such actions here in Kano.”

Kwankwaso’s comments reflected deeper concerns about the alleged regional imbalance in governance and traditional institutions, particularly under the current administration of President Bola Tinubu.

Many believe that the administration of President Tinubu has given more attention to Lagos State, with trillions of naira projects being awarded to the state to the detriment of other states.

The Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Gen. Christopher Musa, has accused some individuals of frustrating the Nigerian government’s efforts to end insurgency in the country.

Musa, who spoke in Abuja on Saturday, after receiving 58 rescued kidnapped victims from the National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, assured that the individuals who are frustrating the campaign against terror would not be allowed to have their way.

He said, “You can see from the people, the women, the children, both girls and boys, and the little one.

“The question you want to ask is why would somebody kidnap these kinds of people? If you see them, they are barely just surviving.”

The defence chief stated that contrary to the belief of many Nigerians, not all who are involved in banditry joined willingly. According to him, some of them were conscripted.

He assured that the troops would ensure that the perpetrators face the wrath of the law.

The CDS said that they military is going after the perpetrators.

“For the innocent blood they have spilled, for those they have restricted their freedom, the security personnel will get back at them, and they will face the law,” he added.

Musa further explained that no ransom was paid to free the victims, and appealed to citizens to give the security agencies the needed support in the ongoing fight against insecurity.

“It’s a joint effort. We’re able to do that through non-kinetic means of getting across. No penny was paid for these individuals.”

The National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Center, Maj Gen Adamu Laka, while speaking, stated that preliminary investigation had revealed that the victims were kidnapped by armed bandits under the command of a notorious terrorist, Janbros.

Laka explained that during the kidnap, the victims were made to trek for hundreds of kilometres to the thick forest of Birnin Gwari.

He pointed out that the government provided them with all the necessary assistance required to stabilise them, for subsequent handing over to the NSA for rehabilitation and immediate medical checkups.

Six of the rescued victims were admitted in hospital, he added.

Laka further explained that the six admitted victims have recovered and joined others for subsequent handing over to their respective families.

The Chief of Staff to Kaduna State Governor, Sani Limankila called on all Nigerians to team up with the security agencies to end kidnapping.

The victims were kidnapped from their homes and farmlands in Gayam, Sabon Layi and Kwaga villages of Dan Musa LGA of Katsina State.

Comprising 35 males and 23 females, they were rescued on November 14 by troops of 1 Division of the Nigerian Army.