A joint military operation by the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Army has resulted in the killing of dozens of suspected bandits in Makuku forest, located in Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
The coordinated assault, carried out on Thursday, targeted a well-known hideout deep within the forest. According to a Friday update by security analyst Bakatsine on X (formerly Twitter), the operation was aimed at dismantling a network of armed criminals responsible for a wave of kidnappings and cattle rustling in the region.
Troops successfully rescued several kidnapped victims during the raid and recovered numerous rustled cattle, signaling a significant blow to the criminal syndicate operating in the area.
Bakatsine described the mission as a “decisive” victory, praising the precision of the air strikes and the effectiveness of the ground troops in clearing the hideout.
“Yesterday, Nigerian Air Force and Army struck bandits in Makuku forest, Sakaba LGA, Kebbi State. Dozens were neutralised, kidnapped victims rescued, and stolen cattle recovered. May our troops continue to succeed,” his post read.
The success of the operation is seen as part of renewed efforts by security forces to restore peace in Nigeria’s North West, where rural communities have suffered frequent attacks by armed gangs.
Authorities have not yet released an official statement or casualty figures, but the raid has been welcomed by residents and observers who have long called for stronger action against rising insecurity in the region.
