From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said its Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch has eliminated a dreaded terrorist and kidnap kingpin, Yellow Jambros, and scores of other terrorists in airstrikes in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
NAF Director, Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, who made the disclosure, said the terrorists met their Waterloo while attempting to cross the Jikudna River in Galadima Kogo District, heading towards the Wurukuvhi axis of Chikun LGA.
Gabkwet, in a statement, yesterday morning, in Abuja, said Yellow Jambros and his cohorts were trailed from Zamfara State into Niger State riding on 13 motorcycles, along the Kaduna-Niger State border, precisely heading towards Kusasu in Shiroro, prior to the strike.
The statement made available to Daily Sun reads: “Air strike undertaken by the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch, on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, in Shiroro Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State, has neutralised scores of terrorists, including the dreaded terrorist and kidnap kingpin, Yellow Jambros. The terrorists met their end while attempting to cross Jikudna 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 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 authorisation to undertake a strike was given. The precision strike was judged 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.
Yellow Jambros and his cohort have been responsible for several kidnappings and killings along the Abuja-Kaduna Road and in several communities in Kaduna, Niger, Katsina and Zamfara States.
In October 2020, a kidnap 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 supplied him with fake military and police uniforms, guns and other weapons needed to execute his operations.