NAF Airstrike Kills Dozens of Bandits at Zamfara Wedding
On Tuesday, August 5, 2025, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) conducted a successful airstrike on a large gathering of armed bandits attending a wedding ceremony in Zamfara State. The precision strike, carried out at Asaula Hills in Yankuzo Ward, Tsafe Local Government Area, resulted in the deaths of dozens of bandits and left many others injured.
The operation was executed by the air component of Operation Hadarin Daji, following credible intelligence that multiple bandit factions were converging for a mass wedding at the rugged, elevated terrain. The gathering reportedly included bandit groups from Faskari and Kankara local government areas in Katsina State, as well as other strongholds across Zamfara.
A NAF fighter jet was deployed to engage the target at approximately 4:00 p.m., catching the criminals by surprise. Sources report that dozens of bandits were "neutralized instantly." By Tuesday evening, at least 10 identifiable bodies had been recovered, with several others reportedly burnt beyond recognition.
The aftermath saw local informants report that no fewer than 33 injured bandits were receiving makeshift treatment at the Yankuzo Comprehensive Health Centre and in nearby hamlets. Security officials believe the total death toll could be significantly higher, given the scale of the gathering and the intensity of the airstrike. The operation is being hailed as a major blow to criminal networks in the North-West, highlighting the military's ongoing efforts to combat insecurity in the region.
