The Nigerian Military has dealt a devastating blow to armed bandits in the North, killing over 100 terrorists during a meticulously planned combined air and ground assault on Makakkari Forest in Bukuyum Local Government Area, Zamfara State.

The operation, which took place early Sunday, began with Nigerian Air Force jets conducting precision strikes on bandit positions that had been previously identified through reconnaissance drone surveillance. Ground troops simultaneously advanced on the location, destroying motorcycles and dismantling the bandits' operational base.

According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, intelligence gathered by Operation FANSAN YANMA had revealed that more than 400 armed fighters, under the leadership of several notorious kingpins, had assembled in Makakkari Forest. Their intended target was reportedly Nasarawan Burkullu, a farming community in the area.

Sources close to the operation disclosed that the bandits had planned the raid as part of efforts to regroup and retaliate following a recent defeat at the hands of security forces. However, their plans were thwarted when they unknowingly walked into a pre-set military trap.

"Many top bandit leaders were neutralized before they could even respond to the attack, while others who attempted to flee were intercepted by strategically positioned ground forces," the source revealed.

Military officials attributed the success of the operation to the exceptional coordination between air and ground units, which has become a hallmark of recent counter-terrorism efforts in the region.

Operation FANSAN YANMA has pledged to maintain relentless pressure on bandit groups and their support networks across the region. "Banditry thrives on fear and impunity. We are dismantling both, one operation at a time," military sources stated.

This latest military success comes amid growing concerns about insecurity in Zamfara and neighboring states, where banditry has disrupted farming activities, led to mass displacements, and claimed numerous lives in recent years.

The operation represents one of the most significant blows to bandit groups in the region this year and demonstrates the military's renewed commitment to restoring security in Nigeria's northwestern states.

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