In a major security operation, troops of the 8 Division Garrison of the Nigerian Army successfully dismantled armed bandit hideouts across Sokoto and Zamfara States, killing five suspected bandits and recovering weapons, motorcycles, and communication devices. The operation is part of the ongoing military campaign to curb the rise of banditry and restore safety to affected communities in the northwest.
A security source revealed on Friday that the operation commenced in the early hours of Wednesday, targeting villages along the border regions where bandit activities had been escalating. In Sokoto State, the troops moved strategically through Gangara, Makawana, Satiru, Baici, and Kurkusu villages in Isa Local Government Area, effectively disrupting criminal operations and denying bandits safe havens to regroup.
The operation later extended into Batamna village in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, where soldiers encountered resistance from armed elements. During the encounter, five suspected bandits were killed, while the troops recovered AK-47 rifles, ammunition, motorcycles, and Baofeng communication radios. These recoveries are expected to significantly weaken the operational capabilities of criminal groups in the region.
According to the security source, intelligence gathered prior to the mission played a crucial role in the success of the operation. The source said, “The operation targeted specific hideouts based on actionable intelligence, ensuring precision strikes that minimized risks to civilians while neutralizing bandit threats.”
The Nigerian Army’s intervention follows previous operations that successfully dismantled bandit networks, including the neutralisation of notorious leaders such as Kachalla Kallamu and Kachalla Na’Allah in Sabon Birnin and Isa Local Government Areas of Sokoto State. Officials said that sustained pressure on bandit strongholds is critical to preventing the resurgence of criminal activities in these states.
Security stakeholders and local authorities have expressed strong support for the military’s efforts. Retired Colonel Ahmad Usman, Special Adviser on Security Matters to Governor Ahmed Aliyu, commended the operation, noting that it has restored a sense of safety in affected communities. Residents of the villages involved expressed relief and optimism that ongoing military interventions will enable displaced persons to return home and resume normal livelihoods.
The Nigerian Army emphasized that the operation forms part of a broader strategy to secure the Sokoto–Zamfara corridor and other vulnerable areas in the northwest, combining intelligence-led missions with community engagement to strengthen public safety. The military also pledged to continue monitoring the region to prevent bandit groups from regrouping or establishing new hideouts.
Analysts note that the Sokoto–Zamfara axis has long been a hotspot for armed banditry, cattle rustling, and kidnapping for ransom, which have destabilized local communities and hampered economic activities. The military’s recent success is seen as a positive step toward addressing insecurity, though sustained efforts will be needed to achieve long-term stability.
As the Nigerian Army continues its operations, residents and security agencies alike remain vigilant, hoping that these efforts will gradually restore peace, curb violence, and protect lives across the region.
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