April 15, (THEWILL) — The Nigerian Army has recorded another significant milestone in its sustained counter-terrorism operations in Bauchi State, neutralising several bandits, dismantling key criminal camps, and capturing family members linked to the fleeing insurgents.
In a statement on Wednesday, the army said troops of the 33 Artillery Brigade, in conjunction with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) team, launched a decisive offensive into the Dajin Madam Forest, a known stronghold for bandit groups.
The operation led to the successful destruction of multiple camps, including the notorious Azuge and Hari camps, effectively disrupting the operational structures of criminal elements in the area.
During the offensive, troops engaged the bandits in combat, neutralising several of them, while others fled under sustained military pressure. In the aftermath of the engagement, troops captured 19 individuals comprising six women and 13 children identified as family members of the bandits.
Security sources indicate that their capture could provide valuable intelligence to support ongoing and future operations aimed at dismantling the broader criminal network.
Further consolidating the success, troops destroyed several motorcycles used by the bandits for mobility and coordinated attacks, thereby weakening their logistical capabilities and limiting their ability to regroup or launch further assaults.
A cache of recovered items from the camps highlights the scale of criminal activities and the methods employed by the group.
Items recovered include an AK-47 magazine, packs of tramadol drugs, a police uniform, multiple military uniforms, and two horses.
The discovery of security uniforms suggests deliberate attempts by the bandits to impersonate law enforcement personnel in carrying out attacks and evading detection.
Troops have since established a stronghold within the Dajin Madam Forest, maintaining a firm hold position to consolidate on the gains achieved and to prevent any attempt by fleeing bandits to return or re-establish their camps.
In a related development, troops carried out a follow-up clearance operation to Mainamaji, in continuation of exploitation efforts after recent air strikes on identified bandit enclaves.
The operation recorded no contact with criminal elements, an indication that sustained military offensives have significantly degraded the presence and movement of bandits within the area.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the current operational tempo, emphasising that efforts will continue until all criminal elements are eliminated and peace is fully restored.
The military also called on members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to support ongoing security operations.
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