Troops of Operation Fansan Yanma, supported by precision air strikes, have neutralised 65 Terrorists in Zamfara.
The seven-hour firefight occurred in the hills of Munhaye village, behind Kunchin Kalgo in Tsafe Local Government Area.
The troops engaged a heavily armed bandit force commanded by one of the region’s most wanted men: Ado Allero.
The operation commenced around 6:00 p.m. on Saturday. Expecting the assault, Allero mobilised an estimated 300 motorcycle-borne fighters from the Yan Wari axis, with reinforcements from the camp of another bandit leader, Dankarami Gwaska.
The plan was to repel the troops and protect the network’s leadership. Instead, they walked into a kill zone.
For seven hours, the air and ground forces worked in deadly synchronization. Air strikes decimated bandit positions while ground troops advanced, overwhelming the terrorists with superior firepower and tactical coordination.
At the end, at least 65 bandits were killed during the encounter. Among them were Kachalla Iliya Sarki, the son of Ado Allero alongside senior lieutenants Dogo Sule and Iliya Mai Rasha.
The latter had assumed leadership only a month earlier, following the death of another commander named Alti.
Iliya Sarki was no ordinary fighter. He had been arrested in Katsina State years ago but was released after his father allegedly orchestrated the kidnapping of senior police officers to force negotiations.
However, seven vigilantes who fought alongside troops paid the supreme price. Their sacrifice will not be forgotten.
But Ado Allero fled the battlefield and is currently hiding in Yankuzu town. Troops are in pursuit, exploiting the gains of the operation.