The Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch has successfully eradicated Yellow Jambros, a feared terrorist and kidnapping kingpin, along with numerous other terrorists through airstrikes in the Shiroro Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger. The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) communicated this achievement in a statement released by Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, Director of Public Relations and Information, on Sunday, December 10, 2023, in Abuja.
Gabkwet stated that the terrorists met their demise while attempting to cross the Jikudna River in the Galadima Kogo District, en route to the Wurukuvhi axis of Chikun Local Government Area (LGA).
He mentioned that Yellow Jambros and his associates were tracked from Zamfara into Niger, traveling on 13 motorcycles along the Kaduna-Niger State border, specifically heading towards Kusasu in Shiroro before the airstrike.
“At Kusasu, an additional five terrorists on motorcycles joined Yellow Jambros’ convoy, increasing the total number of motorcycles to 18. The convoy then proceeded towards the banks of the River Jikudna,” as per the statement.
“At the riverbank, the terrorists, accompanied by their 18 motorcycles, embarked on a sizable motor-powered canoe in an effort to cross and rendezvous with other terrorists on the opposite side of the river.
“At this juncture, the approval for a targeted strike was granted.
“The precise airstrike was deemed successful as it eliminated Yellow Jambros and his associates, obliterated their motorcycles, and caused the sinking of the boat.”
“Despite the unusual sight of terrorists traveling in a convoy of 18 motorcycles during daylight, it became evident that Yellow Jambros and his associates believed that air strikes were temporarily halted following the regrettable incident at Tudun Biri in Kaduna State, and they sought to exploit this perceived window of opportunity,” he stated.
The NAF spokesperson explained that Yellow Jambros and his associates were accountable for numerous kidnappings and fatalities along the Abuja-Kaduna Road and in various communities across Kaduna, Niger, Katsina, and Zamfara States.
He mentioned that a notorious kidnap kingpin named Mohammed Sani, apprehended by the police in Zamfara in October 2020 for the murder of over 50 victims due to their inability to provide ransom, claimed to be working for Yellow Jambros.
According to Mr. Gabkwet, the terrorist disclosed that Yellow Jambros regularly provided him with counterfeit military and police uniforms, as well as guns and other weapons essential for executing his operations.