The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has intensified counter-terrorism and counter-banditry operations across the country with a series of precision airstrikes that neutralised scores of Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists at Mallam Fatori and Shuwaram areas of Borno State.
This came as operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit, in a joint operation with the Department of State Services (DSS), local hunters, and vigilante groups, embarked on special patrols within forests and border communities linking Bwari in Kaduna State, Bwari in Niger State, and Gwagwalada in Niger State.
Meanwhile, bandits reportedly kidnapped at least four nursing mothers at Yan Kwada village, Faruruwa community in Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State, on Sunday.
Similarly, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has ordered a manhunt for gunmen who carried out a midnight attack on residents of Sarkin Noma community in Keana Local Government Area, assuring that the perpetrators would be brought to justice. His Kebbi State counterpart, Dr Nasir Idris, also declared that no part of his state was under the control of bandits.
In a related development, over 100 fighters were killed following a deadly clash between Boko Haram’s Jam’at Ahl as-Sunna lid-Da‘wa wa’l-Jihd (JAS) faction and ISWAP terrorists at Toumbun Gini, an island community in Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State.
NAF’s precision strikes also destroyed bandit enclaves in Garin Dandi and Chigogo in Kwara State, as well as Zango Hill in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the coordinated missions conducted on November 9 formed part of ongoing joint operations under Operation Hadin Kai and Operation Fasin Yamma aimed at degrading terrorist and criminal networks across northern Nigeria.
He explained that air interdiction missions in Borno State inflicted heavy casualties on ISWAP terrorists entrenched in the northern Tumbuns. Guided by real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) feeds, air assets executed precision strikes on identified terrorist hideouts and logistics hubs.
Post-strike assessments confirmed the destruction of weapons depots, mobility assets, and several insurgents. Similar operations in Kwara and Katsina states recorded heavy losses among criminal elements.
Ejodame noted that the operations reaffirmed the Air Force’s commitment to intelligence-driven and precision airpower deployment to safeguard lives and property.
In the FCT, police spokesperson SP Josephine Adeh said the joint operation was initiated on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Miller Dantawaye, to enhance the safety of worship centres and residents during the ember months.
She explained that the patrols, which covered border communities and forest routes, aimed to strengthen community confidence and deter criminal activity.
In Kano, the chairman of the Faruruwa Community Security Committee, Yahaya Bagobiri, confirmed the abduction of four nursing mothers by bandits who also stole about 50 cows and other livestock.
He said despite prior alerts to security agencies, the attackers struck around 9 p.m., abducting the women and abandoning their babies. One of the abducted women later escaped.
Bagobiri appealed to President Bola Tinubu and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to deploy more armed personnel to the area to stem the repeated attacks.
In Nasarawa, Governor Sule condemned the Keana attack as a deliberate attempt by criminals to destabilise the state and directed security agencies to arrest those responsible.
His Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Mr Peter Ahemba, said the government would sustain peace efforts and urged residents to support security agencies with useful information.
In Kebbi, Governor Idris said at a security summit that no territory in the state was under bandits’ control, noting that attacks often originated from neighbouring states.
At the same event, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, urged regional unity against insurgency, while former Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Abdurahman Dambazau (rtd), linked insecurity to poverty and poor education.
Meanwhile, in Borno, security sources said the clash between JAS and ISWAP factions erupted when ISWAP attempted to reclaim Toumbun Gini, recently seized by JAS. The ambush left more than 100 fighters dead, with ISWAP losing seven boats and several weapons.
The ongoing infighting, sources said, could push surviving ISWAP fighters deeper into mainland communities, heightening risks for civilians and security forces.
In a related development, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors’ Forum has urged traditional rulers to deploy local and spiritual means in the collective fight against insecurity.
Forum Chairman and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, made the call during a condolence visit to Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State, stressing the need to complement federal efforts with indigenous security strategies.
