Nigerian Army Airstrike Killed Over 20 Bandits; Five Vigilantes Tragically Killed
Published Monday, June 2, 2025 at 3:37 PM | By Enioluwa Adeniyi
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In a decisive operation against banditry, the Nigerian Army has reportedly eliminated more than 20 bandits in a precision airstrike targeting Maraya and Wabi villages in Maru LGA, Zamfara State.
According to Naija News, the air assault, carried out on Saturday, was a key component of a broader counterinsurgency campaign to dismantle bandit networks terrorizing the region.
However, the offensive also resulted in the deaths of five vigilante members who failed to heed military withdrawal orders before the strike.
Zagazola Makama, a Lake Chad-focused counter-insurgency outlet, confirmed that following the airstrike, ground troops from Operation Fansan Yanma launched a follow-up mission on June 1, neutralizing over 20 bandits and destroying numerous motorcycles and equipment.
“Regrettably, five vigilantes lost their lives, with two others wounded and hospitalized. Several others sustained minor injuries,” the report stated.
The vigilante group’s leader has accepted responsibility for the casualties, explaining that some members ignored repeated warnings and remained in the strike zone while pursuing fleeing bandits.
