The Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch successfully took down a notorious terrorist and kidnapper, Yellow Jambros, along with numerous other terrorists in airstrikes carried out in the Shiroro Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger.
According to a statement by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, on a Sunday in Abuja, the terrorists met their fate while attempting to cross the Jikudna River in the Galadima Kogo District, heading towards the Wurukuvhi axis of Chikun LGA.
Gabkwet explained that Yellow Jambros and his accomplices were tracked from Zamfara into Niger, traveling on 13 motorcycles along the Kaduna-Niger State border, specifically towards Kusasu in Shiroro, before the decisive strike.
“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 Jikudna,” he stated.
The terrorists, along with their 18 motorcycles, boarded a large motor-powered canoe at the river bank in an attempt to cross and join other terrorists across the river.
It was at this critical moment that the authorization for the airstrike was given.
Gabkwet emphasized the precision of the strike, noting that it effectively neutralized Yellow Jambros and his associates, destroyed their motorcycles, and sank the boat.
While acknowledging the unusual nature of terrorists traveling in a convoy of 18 motorcycles in broad daylight, Gabkwet explained that Yellow Jambros and his cohorts likely assumed that airstrikes were suspended, following a regrettable incident at Tudun Biri in Kaduna State, attempting to exploit this perceived window of opportunity.
The NAF spokesperson highlighted Yellow Jambros’ notorious activities, attributing several kidnappings and killings along the Abuja-Kaduna Road and in various communities in Kaduna, Niger, Katsina, and Zamfara States to him.
Additionally, Gabkwet mentioned that a captured kidnap kingpin named Mohammed Sani, arrested by the Police in Zamfara in October 2020 for the murder of over 50 victims due to their inability to pay ransom, claimed to work for Yellow Jambros.
The terrorist reportedly supplied Sani with fake military and police uniforms, as well as guns and other weapons necessary for executing criminal operations.
