Misleading! Military airstrike did not kill over 200 bandits
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Claim: A Facebook user claimed the Nigerian military airstrikes killed over 200 bandits moving from Zamfara to Kebbi State.
Verdict: Misleading. While there was a military operation against bandits from Zamfara State to Kebbi State, available reports reveal that 17 bandits were killed so far, not over 200 as claimed. Also, the police noted that the casualty figures are still being assessed.
Full Text
A Facebook page, United Middle Belt Region, claimed that a Nigerian military airstrike killed over 200 bandits moving from Zamfara to Kebbi State.
The post revealed that the Nigerian military’s Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA launched airstrikes after intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets detected the armed group’s movement along the Zamfara-Kebbi border.
According to the post, the bandits reportedly emerged from the Sangeko Gap in Zamfara State and were heading towards Makuku in Kebbi State on motorcycles.
“JUST IN: Nigerian military airstrikes kill ‘over 200 bandits’ moving from Zamfara to Kebbi State,” part of the post’s caption read.
As of Aug. 15, 2026, the Facebook post generated 679 likes, 429 comments and 50 shares, sparking mixed reactions. While most Facebook users in the comment section expressed disbelief, some believed it.
A Facebook user, Alonge Fahad Armstrong, questioned, “Is the Nigerian Air Force aware of this fake news?”
Amos Babatunde Adebisi, another user, commented, “This cameraman is very good. He needs to defend how 200 bandits were killed, and he escaped because he’s a cameraman.”
A Facebook user, Maidawa Samba Jr., who believed the claim, commented, “Na this kind news I dey like to hear from our air force.”
Lookman Bolaji, another user, wrote, “Nice one. God bless Nigerian security personnel, and may Almighty be guiding them all.”
Due to the mixed reactions the post generated, and the security implications of the claim, DUBAWA decided to verify it.
Verification
DUBAWA conducted a Google keyword search to determine whether credible news organisations reported the incident. We found that on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, security forces launched a coordinated operation against a large group of armed bandits reportedly moving from Zamfara State towards Kebbi State.
The bandits, estimated at 240, reportedly emerged from the Sangeko Gap in Zamfara State and were moving towards Makuku in Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State. The group was reportedly travelling on motorcycles and had divided itself into three formations as it advanced towards the area. The movement heightened tension in communities along the Zamfara-Kebbi border.
Ground troops from the Nigerian Army’s 8 Division, personnel of the Mobile Police Force and the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA were deployed to intercept the group and prevent it from advancing further into Kebbi.
The Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division, Nigerian Army/Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, confirmed the development to Daily Trust, saying the operation was still ongoing, and the military was withholding specific details to avoid compromising the engagement. PUNCH and Vanguard reported the same news.
DUBAWA found reports by Premium Times, AL JAZEERA and pmnewsnigeria on security personnel intercepting a heavily armed group along the Raffin Makuku axis of Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State. These reports, quoting the Kebbi Police spokesperson, Bashir Usman, revealed that the military operation led to the death of 17 bandits so far, and the figures are still being assessed. The reports also noted that ten police officers and two civilians were killed, while two other officers were injured in this battle.
To further verify the claim, DUBAWA decided to check the official handles of the Nigerian security agencies, including the Kebbi State Police Command. However, no official statement confirmed that over 200 bandits were killed in a military airstrike.
DUBAWA also checked the official handle of the Kebbi State Government but found no statement confirming the killing of over 200 bandits. However, the Kebbi State Government posted on its official handle that Governor Nasir Idris pledged the support of the state government to the families of the 10 police officers and other victims killed by terrorists along the Rafin Makuku axis of Sakaba Local Government Area. This corroborates reports of the incident.
Conclusion
While DUBAWA’s investigations found that security forces carried out an airstrike under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, available reports reveal that 17 bandits were killed in the Military operation so far, not over 200 as claimed. Also, the police noted that the casualty figures are still being assessed. So the claim is misleading.
This fellowship is implemented by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) with support from the European Union.
