By Emmanuel Obisue
Nigerian Air Force, NAF, launched a precision airstrike on a mass wedding ceremony attended by scores of armed bandits at Asaula Hills, in Yankuzo Ward of Tsafe Local Government Area, dealing a heavy blow to the outlawed group.
The strike, which occurred on the afternoon of Tuesday, was based on actionable intelligence indicating the convergence of multiple bandit factions at the remote, elevated location for a joint celebration.
Sources disclosed that at approximately 2:44 p.m., field surveillance confirmed the presence of dozens of armed bandits, many mounted on over 100 motorcycles, gathered at the venue.
“In response, the air component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, under Sector 2 Command of the Nigerian Air Force, swiftly deployed a fighter jet to engage the target,” a security source said.
The airstrike was carried out at about 4:00 p.m., catching the insurgents off guard in the midst of their festivities.
According to reports, the wedding brought together notorious bandit groups from Faskari and Kankara Local Government Areas of Katsina State, as well as from several enclaves within Zamfara. Dozens were reportedly killed on the spot, while many others sustained critical injuries. Surviving fighters were seen transporting the wounded to nearby Yankuzo village for emergency treatment.
Reconnaissance missions and follow-up intelligence indicated that at least 10 identifiable bodies had been recovered by evening, while several others were burnt beyond recognition due to the impact of the strike.
Local sources revealed that no fewer than 33 injured bandits were receiving treatment at the Comprehensive Health Centre in Yankuzo and other nearby settlements, often with the help of unqualified health workers.
“It is believed that the actual death toll may be significantly higher, given the scale of the gathering and the intensity of the bombardment,” one of the sources said.
They also recommended that ground troops conduct mop-up operations around Asaula Hills and suspected recovery sites like Yankuzo village to prevent regrouping or escape by wounded fighters.
