NAF Kills Terror Kingpins Gero, Riga, 20 Fighters In Katsina Airstrike

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has destroyed fortified camps of notorious bandit kingpins, Gero (Alhaji) and Alhaji Riga, killing over 20 other fighters in Katsina State.

The Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma carried out a precision airstrike in the early hours of 13 March, 2025, targeting notorious bandits’ hideouts in Unguwar Goga Hillforest, Ruwan Godiya Ward, Faskari local government area.

A statement by the Deputy NAF Spokesman, Group Captain Kabiru Ali said the airstrikes, which followed careful and actionable intelligence, had a decisive impact on the criminals.

He said additional casualties were reported in the surrounding rocky hills, adding that assessment of the full extent of the damage was ongoing.

According to the statement, Riga and Gero were key enablers of banditry, sheltering terrorist elements responsible for relentless ambushes along the Funtua-Gusau Road, particularly between Yankara and Sheme villages.

“Their elimination marks a major breakthrough in the ongoing military campaign to restore peace in the North-West,” he said.

He assured that NAF, in coordination with ground forces, remains relentless in its mission to eradicate all threats and dismantle bandit strongholds.