The Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch has successfully neutralized Yellow Jambros, a notorious terrorist and prominent figure in kidnappings, along with numerous other terrorists in a series of airstrikes conducted in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger.
According to a statement from the Nigerian Air Force’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, the operation culminated in the elimination of the terrorists as they attempted to traverse the Jikudna River in Galadima Kogo District en route to the Wurukuvhi axis of Chikun LGA.
Gabkwet disclosed that Yellow Jambros and his associates, numbering multiple individuals, were trailed from Zamfara into Niger, journeying on 13 motorcycles along the Kaduna-Niger State border. Their trajectory was specifically directed towards Kusasu in Shiroro before the decisive airstrike was executed.
“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.
“At the river bank, the terrorists and their 18 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 authorization to undertake a strike was given.
“The precision strike was adjudged effective as it neutralized 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,” he said.
The NAF spokesman said that Yellow Jambros and his cohorts had been responsible for several kidnappings and killings along the Abuja-Kaduna Road and in several communities in Kaduna, Niger, Katsina, and Zamfara states.
He said a kidnap kingpin, known as Mohammed Sani, who was arrested by the Police in Zamfara in October 2020 for murdering over 50 of his victims due to their inability to mobilize ransom, had claimed that he worked for Yellow Jambros.
According to Gabkwet, the terrorist revealed that Yellow Jambros usually supplied him with fake military and police uniforms, guns, and other weapons needed to execute his operation.
(NAN)
