Troops of the 33 Artillery Brigade, operating under Operation WUTAN DAJI, have dismantled several bandit strongholds, rescued eight hostages, and recovered a significant cache of weaponry during a high-stakes clearance operation.
The offensive, which targeted the dense Kumbodoro Forest and Kumbodoro Village, saw the military successfully “smash” notorious enclaves, including the feared Azuge camps.
The operation was characterised by seamless coordination between ground forces and the Air Component. As troops moved into the forest axis, air assets provided crucial cover, neutralising several bandits and forcing others to flee into the hinterlands.
“Our troops successfully cleared multiple bandit enclaves and dismantled key operational bases,” a military source stated. “By destroying these hubs, we have significantly degraded their capability to threaten the lives and property of law-abiding citizens.”
The most significant achievement of the raid was the rescue of eight kidnapped victims, who are currently receiving medical attention and debriefing before being reunited with their families.
A meticulous search of the abandoned camps revealed that the bandits had been operating a sophisticated logistical hub. The recovered arsenal included four skeletal rifles, four Dane guns, one FN rifle magazine, and one AK-47 magazine. Beyond weaponry, the troops seized tactical gear such as helmets, boots, and several pairs of security agency uniforms.
The recovery also highlighted the bandits’ communication and financial tools, with soldiers seizing six mobile handsets, a StarTimes decoder, radio chargers, OPAY ATM cards, and identity cards. Perhaps most chilling was the discovery of leg chains, which were used to restrain victims within the forest.
In a related development, troops stationed at Duguri acted on credible intelligence to intercept stolen livestock. In collaboration with local vigilantes, the army recovered 36 cows at Mushen Kura Village.
Officials believe the cattle were abandoned by bandits who were forced to flee due to sustained military pressure. Plans are currently underway to verify ownership and return the livestock to the rightful herders.
The Nigerian Army has reaffirmed its dedication to total peace in the region, emphasising that there will be “no Safe haven” for terrorists.
“We remain resolute in our mission to restore stability across all theatres of operation,” the Army stated in a post-operation briefing. “Through intelligence-driven operations and strategic partnerships, we will continue to deny these criminals any room to operate.”
The success in Bauchi marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing effort to secure the forest fringes and protect rural communities from the scourge of banditry. #Securitynewsalert.com
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