By Uriel Ihotu
Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 1 Brigade have dealt a major blow to banditry in Zamfara State, eliminating several notorious bandit leaders and seizing a cache of weapons during a coordinated operation in Talata Mafara and Kaura Namoda Local Government Areas.
According to Captain Suleiman Omale, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, the operation was carried out in the early hours of May 1, 2025, by Combat Team 6. Troops engaged a group of heavily armed terrorists in Mai Kwanugga village, who had earlier attacked residents and set several homes ablaze.
Following a fierce exchange of gunfire, troops neutralized several terrorists, including five notorious bandit leaders identified as Auta Jijji, Dankali, Sagidi, Kachallah Rijaji, and Kachallah Suza. Reinforcements from the Quick Response Force and Special Forces pursued fleeing assailants and recovered the following weapons:
- 4 AK-47 rifles
- 1 PKT machine gun
- 2 RPG tubes
- 6 RPG bombs
- 28 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition
- 43 rounds of PKT ammunition
During mop-up operations on May 2, local residents voluntarily handed over additional weapons and confirmed the identities of the slain bandits. Unfortunately, two civilians sustained injuries from stray bullets during the operation.
In a separate incident, troops of Combat Team 2, working alongside other security agencies, responded to a protest in Dayau village, Kaura Namoda LGA. Villagers, angered by recent bandit attacks, had blocked a major road with burning tires. Security forces peacefully dispersed the protest and restored normalcy.
Brigadier General Timothy Opurum, Commander of 1 Brigade, commended the troops for their courage and professionalism. He reiterated the Army’s dedication to restoring peace and security in Zamfara State and urged citizens to support military efforts by sharing credible intelligence rather than resorting to civil unrest.
