NAF Airstrikes Destroy Bandit Kingpin’s Base in Kaduna

Airstrikes conducted by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) under Operation Whirl Punch have destroyed a logistics base belonging to a notorious bandit leader in Kaduna State. The base, located in the Yadi Forest in Giwa Local Government Area, was owned by Kadade Gurgu, a close associate of the well-known terrorist leader Dogo Gide.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Group Captain Kabiru Ali, Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF, confirmed the operation took place on Friday, September 27, 2024, following intelligence reports indicating a heavy presence of armed terrorists in the area.

Ali detailed that intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions had confirmed a high concentration of terrorists, their weapons, and motorcycles at the logistics base. “The operation was a result of credible intelligence, which indicated that Kadade Gurgu was sheltering notorious terrorist leaders after intensified military operations in Sokoto and Zamfara States,” he said.

As the airstrike commenced, the ISR platform revealed that some terrorists were hiding in the shrubbery, attempting to flee as NAF aircraft approached. Despite their efforts, the NAF successfully targeted the facility, causing a massive fire and thick black smoke to rise from the site.

“Independent sources, including local informants, later confirmed the destruction of the logistics base and reported that a significant number of terrorists were killed in the operation,” Ali added.

This strike marks another success in the ongoing efforts by the Nigerian military to weaken the operational capabilities of bandits and terrorist groups in the region.