RAID NAF forests in Zamfara while the army supports the fight against oil thieves in the Niger delta

The Nigerian aeronautics (NAF), under the Fasan Yamma operation, has neutralized several armed bandits in the state of Zamfara during coordinated assaults of the air and soil in the Makakkari forest.

The director of public relations and information of NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

He said that the surveillance of intelligence and the reconnaissance confirmed the movements of over 400 bandits who planned to invade an agricultural community.

According to him, Sunday’s operation involved precision air attacks and attacks on the ground, killing several notorious pins and dozens of fighters.

Ejodame said that the synergy between the aerial and terrestrial components made the operation exceptional.

“The Nigerian aeronautics under the Fasan Yamma operation, on August 10, 2025, recorded another great victory against the armed bandits in the state of Zamfara, neutralizing several terrorists in a coordinated assault on the air and ground at the Makakkari forest.

“The intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance had confirmed the movements of over 400 bandits, planning to invade an agricultural community.

“The operation included precision air attacks and assaults on the ground, causing the death of several notorious pins and dozens of their soldiers.

“The synergy between aerial and terrestrial components made the operation exceptional,” says the declaration.

The attack was an answer to various activities of the criminal elements, including bandits, kidnappings and others connected in the last month.

The village of Adabka of Bukkuyum was, on Friday, the scene of a bandit attack that saw the kidnapped residents and 13 killed security staff.

The crisis of bandits of Nigeria was born in conflicts on the rights of land and water between shepherds and farmers, but has been transformed into organized crime, with the bands that have preyed into rural communities that have long or no presence of the government.

The rustling of cattle and kidnapping have become enormous earning initiatives in the largely impoverished campaign.

The groups also collect taxes on farmers and artisan miners.

The conflict is worsening a crisis of malnutrition in the north -ovest while the attacks distance people from their farms, in a situation that has been complicated by climate change and cuts to western aid.

Despite the military deployment to combat criminal gangs since 2015 and the creation of a militia force by the government of the state of Zamfara two years ago, violence is persisted.

In July, the Nigerian troops killed at least 95 members of an armed gang in a shooting and air shots in the north -north -western state of the Niger.

The bandits, who are mainly motivated by money, have also increased their collaboration with the jihadist groups of Nigeria, who are conducting a separate 16-year-old armed insurrection in the north-east.

… the army supports the assault against oil thieves

In a related development, the efforts of troops of 6 divisions, Nigerian army (NA) to eliminate the theft of oil and associated criminals in the Niger delta region (editor’s note) have produced positive results.

In various operations conducted from 21 July to 10 August 2025, the troops, in collaboration with other security agencies, supported the trajectory against criminals in the region.

These caused the deactivation of fourteen illegal refining sites, an arrest of over 71 criminals with over 33,000 liters of stolen products confiscated throughout the region.

A statement issued by the deputy director at Interim 6 Division Public Relations, Lt.-Colk. Danjuma Jonah in Port Harcourt, in the state of spinners, on Monday, declared along the kilometer 45 in the area of the local government degema, two illegal refining sites were deactivated with over 22,500 liters of stolen stolen oil.

The army spokesman said that two wooden boats used for illegal activity were demobilized, while the same number of wooden boats charged with eight stolen crude bags were intercepted in Omoku in the area of the local Government of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni.

The declaration also affirmed similar operations conducted on “The fringes of the IMO river led to the deactivation of 5 illegal refining sites, with 16 drum vessels, two drum receivers and over 2,000 liters of stolen crude oils recovered on Obuzor, Okoloma and Okoloma and Okoloma and Okoloma, respectively.”

In the state of Bayelsa, around Bassambiri in the area of the local government of Nembe, Jonah said that “the troops broke into a shop, where 16 units of 30 liters of Jerricians loaded with stolen products hidden in the shop. In Biseni in Yenagoa LGA, the troops revealed an illegal refinement site with over 1,200 liters of stolen products recovered.

“This was added to several raid operations conducted with other twin services in the state, which led to the arrest of multiple criminals. While, in the state of the delta, a vehicle with registration number AG 02 Kwr loaded with 31 units of 25 liters Jerricans full of stolen gasoline oil.

“The general officer Commander (Goc), 6 Division, Na, Major General Emmanuel Eric Ericekah, while appreciating the informants for their support, said that when discovered illegal products the diligence are taken to verify the authenticity of the product or other.

“However, where it turns out that the product is authentic, it is usually delivered to the owner in line with the mandate of the Delta Safe operation.

“The Goc also stressed that the authors of economic sabotage, arrested by the troops are delivered to the appropriate agency for the accusation,” says the note. (Additional reports from AFP)