Nigeria’s Air Force (NAF) has neutralized at least 95 suspected terrorists in a targeted airstrike in the northwest region, marking a significant blow to armed groups plaguing the area. The operation, conducted under Operation Fasan Yamma, destroyed a large convoy of militants traveling on motorcycles through Niger State’s Rijau Local Government Area on Tuesday afternoon.
Intelligence sources confirmed to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that fighter jets intercepted the group near the villages of Ragada and Warari around 3:00 PM local time. The militants, reportedly armed with advanced weaponry, were traced from Zamfara State through neighboring Kebbi before entering Niger. Satellite imagery and ground intelligence revealed a convoy of 108 motorcycles, a common mode of transport for criminal networks in the region.
The strike occurred at geographic coordinates 10° 54′ 1.51” N | 5° 25′ 4.96” E, with only 13 motorcycles surviving the attack, according to military assessments. Local authorities and residents from Makuku, Warari, and Ragada villages praised the operation, describing it as a critical step in curbing violence linked to kidnappings, raids, and extortion by armed factions. “This shows the government is serious about protecting us,” one source quoted villagers as saying.
Northwest Nigeria has faced escalating insecurity for years, with bandit militias and extremist groups exploiting porous borders and rugged terrain. While the aerial offensive signals improved coordination between intelligence and combat units, analysts caution that sustained operations and community-focused strategies are needed to address root causes, including poverty and weak governance. The NAF has not issued an official statement, but the strike aligns with broader military efforts to disrupt supply routes and dismantle militant cells ahead of the rainy season, when mobility in the region becomes constrained.
