In its ongoing efforts to bring an end to terrorism in the country, the Nigerian Air Force has revealed how air strikes by the air component of Operation Whirl Punch in the North Central eliminated a terrorist commander, known as Yellow Jambros, and other fighters in Niger State.
A statement by the spokesperson for the Air Force, Edward Gabkwet, indicated that the terrorists were moving from Zamfara State to Niger State when they were killed.
Gabkwet said the terrorists, who were moving in a convoy of about 18 motorcycles, were killed when they boarded a canoe at the bank of Jikunda River in the Galadima Kogo District to go and link up with other terrorists.
He pointed out that the operation happened during the day, and that the terrorists seemed to have assumed that military air strikes had been suspended after the “accidental” air strike that killed tens of civilians in Kaduna State last week.
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The statement noted, “An air strike undertaken by the air component of Operation Whirl Punch on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, in the Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State has neutralised scores of the terrorists, including the dreaded terrorist and kidnap kingpin, Yellow Jambros. The terrorists met their end while attempting to cross the Jikunda River in Galadima Kogo District, heading towards the Wurukuvhi axis of Chikun LGA.
“Prior to the strike, Yellow Jambros and his cohorts were trailed from Zamfara State into Niger State riding 13 motorcycles along the Kaduna-Niger State border, precisely heading towards Kusasu in Shiroro LGA of Niger State. At Kusasu, five other motorcycle-riding terrorists joined Yellow Jambros’ convoy, bringing the total number of motorcycles to 18, which then headed to the bank of River Jikunda.
“At the river bank, the terrorists and their motorcycles boarded a large motor-powered canoe in an attempt to cross and link up with other terrorists across the river. It was at this point that the authorisation to undertake a strike was given. The precision strike was adjudged to be effective as it neutralised Yellow Jambros and his colleagues, destroyed their motorcycles, and sank the boat.
“Though it was unusual for terrorists riding in a convoy of 18 motorcycles to travel in broad daylight, it was apparent that Yellow Jambros and his cohorts had assumed that air strikes were suspended following the unfortunate incident at Tudun Biri in Kaduna State and wanted to exploit the perceived window of opportunity.”
The statement revealed that the neutralised terrorists were the masterminds of several attacks in Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and Niger states, noting, “In October 2020, a kidnapped kingpin known as Mohammed Sani, arrested by the police in Zamfara State for murdering over 50 of his victims due to their inability to mobilise ransom, claimed that he worked for Yellow Jambros, who usually supply him with fake military and police uniforms, guns and other weapons needed to execute his operation.”
