Military Airstrikes Neutralize Bandit Kingpin Gwaska, 100 Fighters in Northwest Nigeria

Coordinated Military Airstrikes have eliminated notorious bandit leader, Gwaska, along with over 100 of his fighters.

The operation, conducted on April 10, 2025, spanned multiple locations across Katsina State and was hailed as a

major success by security authorities.

Dr. Nasir Mua’zu, Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, disclosed in an official

statement that the air and ground operation targeted strongholds in Mununu Bakai, Zango, Jeka Arera, Malali, and

Ruwan Godiya areas situated in Kankara and Faskari local government areas. These regions have long been identified

as flashpoints for criminal activity.

The mission, executed by the Nigerian Army’s 17th Brigade and the 213 Forward Operating Base (FOB) of the Nigerian

Air Force, was described as a “precision strike” driven by actionable intelligence.

Among the recovered items were machine guns, locally fabricated firearms, and other weapons, all of which were

subsequently destroyed to prevent reuse by criminal groups.

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Gwaska, the key target of the operation, was reportedly the second-in-command to an ISWAP-affiliated leader.

Intelligence revealed that he had recently moved from Danmusa to Mununu Forest, where he was tracked and

neutralized in the raid. His death is expected to cause a major disruption in the operational structure of several armed

groups in the region.

In a follow-up operation on the same day, security forces intercepted bandit routes near Dutsen Wori on the Dandume-

Kandamba road, near the borders of Faskari and Sabuwa LGAs. At around 3:45 am, six additional bandits, including a

local commander, were killed, while several others fled with gunshot wounds.

Troops also seized seven motorcycles believed to be used for swift movements by the armed groups, while four

others escaped into the forest. The fleeing fighters were traced back to their hideouts in Maigora and Doroyi camps

within Faskari LGA, reinforcing the military’s expanded offensive across volatile zones.