OVER 100 TERRORISTS NEUTRALIZED IN MASSIVE NAF AIRSTRIKE & GROUND ASSAULT IN ZAMFARA

In a major victory against the persistent scourge of terrorism in Nigeria’s North-West, over 100 armed bandit-terrorists have been eliminated in a combined operation by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and ground troops in Zamfara State.

The operation, described by military insiders as “swift, surgical, and devastating,” was executed following weeks of intense intelligence gathering that pinpointed several terrorist hideouts in the rugged forests of Zurmi and Shinkafi axis.

At first light, NAF fighter jets unleashed precision-guided munitions on the camps, obliterating makeshift shelters, arms stockpiles, and motorcycles used for raids. According to military sources, the bombardment was so accurate that many terrorists were taken out before they could mount a defense.

Moments after the air raids, ground forces — including special forces units and local security auxiliaries — advanced into the cleared areas, engaging surviving elements in close-quarter combat. By the end of the sweep, the battlefield was littered with the remnants of what was once a formidable terrorist enclave.

Intelligence reports revealed that the terrorists, responsible for months of kidnappings, cattle rustling, and deadly attacks on rural communities, had recently regrouped for a large-scale assault. “We struck before they could strike,” a senior military officer told first Weekly Magazine. “This was a pre-emptive knockout.”

Recovered from the scene were dozens of AK-47 rifles, RPG launchers, ammunition belts, and stolen livestock. Several motorcycles, often used in lightning raids, were destroyed to prevent future attacks.

While the military has conducted numerous operations in the region, security analysts believe the scale and coordination of this latest offensive mark a turning point in the fight against insurgency in Zamfara. However, they caution that sustained pressure is key to preventing a resurgence.

Residents of nearby villages expressed relief, with some describing the night sky “lit up like daytime” during the strikes. Others urged the government to deploy permanent security posts to protect liberated areas from reoccupation.

As of press time, the Defence Headquarters is yet to issue a formal casualty breakdown, but insiders confirm the figure of “over 100 neutralized” is conservative. More details are expected in an official briefing later this week. For now, the message is clear — the Nigerian military is turning up the heat, and for the bandit-terrorists of Zamfara, the forest is no longer a safe haven.